An illustration from a Ragamala series: Todi Ragini of Dipak, two ladies spinning, Arki, Baghal, circa 1700

gouache heightened with gold on paper, laid down on stout paper

Henry C.Q. Brownrigg, London
Acquired in 1991

In reasonably good overall condition, loss to central figure, minor losses to three corners, 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."

Arki lies twenty miles from Simla in the Punjab Hills and is the capital of the small Pahari state of Baghal. Few paintings are known to have survived from this state, which suffered from the oppression of Gurka occupation from 1805-15. This series of ragamala paintings is, however, characteristic of the earliest style of Arki painting.

Ragamala ('Garland of Ragas') illustrations are visual depictions of musical modes that evoke a mood. They were widely popular subjects in Indian painting for many centuries. In the Punjab Hills, these series of paintings numbered eighty-four, whereas the usual number was thirty-six. Composed of scenes from poetic texts reflecting particular North Indian musical modes, the thirty-six were composed of ragas and their ‘wives’, raginis; in the Hills the increased number included the ‘sons’ of ragas, ragaputras. For a descriptions of the Pahari system of Ragamalas see Ebeling 1973, p.272. For a Pahari drawing of the subject of the present Ragamala illustration, see ibid., p.286, no.349; for a Basohli version of the same scene see Sotheby's, London, 23 October 1993, lot 274.

For other pages from the same Arki Ragamala series see Archer 1973, vol.I, p.3, nos.2(i-iii) & vol.II, pp.3-4; Khandalavala 1958, study supplement, no.27; Kramrisch 1986, p.122, no.112; Pal 1978, pp.164-5, no.57; Topsfield and Beach 1991, pp.78-79, no.29. Some of the above are listed in Tanden 1983, p.96.