Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala receiving his chief minister bearing a new-born son, Patiala, Punjab Plains, circa 1830

gouache heightened with gold, seed pearls and beetle wings on paper, laid down on stout paper with narrow blue, black, red and white borders, inscribed on the verso of the original frame 'His Highness the Maharaja Saheb presenting presents to his Chief Minister on the birth of a son. 1750 about', framed

Sotheby’s, London, 28 April 1981, lot 129

Topsfield 1986, p.50, no.29

In good overall condition, some light rubbing to upper section, minor losses to leaf edges, colours vivid, as viewed.
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During the reign of Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala (r.1813-45), this large Sikh state continued the traditions of a rich and important cultural centre, which had originated with the foundation of the state in 1752. The Maharaja built shrines in honour of the Gurus and reconstructed the old Saifabad fort outside Patiala, renaming it Bahadurgah after Guru Tegh Bahadur. For a discussion of the kingdom of Patiala, see Stronge et al. 1999, pp.165-170.

"Karam Singh succeeded to the throne of Patiala in 1813. During the Gurkha war of 1814 he rendered valuable services to the British in recognition of which the British Government conferred upon him portions of the states of Keonthal and Baghat. When in 1845 hostilities broke out between the Lahore and British Governments, Karam Singh declared his readiness to help the latter. He died in 1848." (Gupta 1922, pp.52-53, no.D-45).

The decorative elements of the present work are visually striking and highly accomplished, especially the carpet on the floor, the textile hanging on the wall behind and white wall beyond which is delicately painted with gold niches and floral designs.

For other portraits of this Maharaja, see Falk and Archer 1981, pp.288 & 548, no.553; Pal 1983, pp.106 & 319, no.P45; Topsfield 1986, pp.49-50, no.29; Paris 1973, pp.118-9, no.133; Bonhams, London, 25 October 2007, lot 473; Christie's, London, 23 April 1991, lot 32; Sotheby’s, London, 12 October 1990, lot 13. For another portrayal of Karam Singh, this time with his son in an interior, see Stronge et al. 1999, p.165, fig.188.