Gosain Sagargir, a Shaivite Yogi, seated on a leopard skin, attributable to a master of the early Mankot school, possibly Meju, Mankot, circa 1700

brush and ink heightened with gouache on paper, inscribed on the recto in takri script, the verso with a rough tracing in black ink, the mirror-image of the recto drawing

Dr William George Archer, O.B.E. (1907-79) and Dr Mildred Archer, O.B.E. (1911-2005) (A-9, collectors' mark not in Lugt)
Sotheby’s, London, 11 December 1968, lot 92

Tantra, London, Hayward Gallery, 1971
Miniature Painting from the Collection of the National Museum, New Delhi, Bibliothèque Royale Albert Ier, Brussels, 1974
In the Image of Man, Hayward Gallery, London, 1982

London 1971, p.72, no.362 (reprinted 1972, p.80)
Rawson 1973-I, p.157, fig.137
Hutchinson 1974, p.16
Brussels 1974-I, p.54, no.194
London 1982-I, p.172, no.270
Parrinder et al. 1983, p.18

In good overall condition, 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."

This arresting study of a yogi is close in style to several works ascribed or attributed to the early Mankot master Meju (active circa 1680-1730), particularly in the facial style to a portrait of a courtier smoking a hookah (whose inscription has caused confusion over the years as to whether it is a portrait of Meju or by him, see Goswamy and Fischer in Beach, Goswamy and Fischer 2011, vol.II, p.503, fig.12; Goswamy and Fisher 1992, p.97, fig.31; Archer 1973, vol.2, p.288, no.15), and to a portrait of a prince (possibly Mahipat Dev) datable to circa 1700-1710 in the Brooklyn Museum of Art (see Poster 1994, pp.288-9, no.242). For other comparable Mankot paintings of the period see Goswamy and Fischer in Beach, Goswamy and Fischer 2011, vol.II, p.513, fig.9, p.514, figs.10-11; Goswamy and Fischer 1992, p.125, no.52; Archer 1973, vol.2, p.284, no.4, p.288, nos.12, 21, p.289, no.24.

For the latest research and discussion of the 'Master at the Court of Mankot' (possibly Meju) see Goswamy and Fischer in Beach, Goswamy and Fischer 2011, vol.II, pp.501-514; Goswamy-Fischer 1992, pp.96-125.