Warriors and Musicians by a well in a Landscape, India, Mughal, circa 1660-80

gouache with gold on paper, trimmed at top, narrow borders of gold-decorated blue paper, reverse with six illuminated diagonal lines of poetry in nasta 'liq script on cream paper with wide borders decorated with flamboyant floral scrolls in reserve and gold on green ground

In reasonably good overall condition, trimmed at top, borders trimmed, few wormholes, surface abrasion and small areas of pigment loss, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The composition, with a group of figures arranged in a semi-circle with a landscape or garden background and with a moody, slightly darkened atmosphere, is typical of several paintings executed in the second half of the seventeenth century. More specifically, a group of military men and musicians arranged in this manner was a subject painted twice by Payag in the mid-seventeenth century (Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, 7B.20, see Leach 1995, vol.1, no.3.54, pp.440-442; San Diego Museum of Art (Binney Collection), see Binney 1973, no.59, Beach 1978, no.52, Sotheby's, London, 26 March 1973, lot 19). Similar treatment of the foliage, the tall rock face above the well and the moody atmosphere can further be seen in two paintings in the British Library (India Office Collections, Johnson Album 10, no.4 and 67, no.2, see Falk and Archer 1981, nos.100, 103, Losty and Leach, nos.8 and 11) and one in the Aga Khan Museum (Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Collection), see Canby 1998, no.113, pp.151-2, Sotheby's, London, 13 March 1972, lot 95).