Five leaves from an Illuminated Manuscript, Western India, circa 1700

Collection of Jean Claude Ciancimino (1931-2014).

Sotheby’s New York, 16th September 1998, lot 243.

These evocative multi-colored diagrams illustrate the processes of projective-evolution of the universe, represented by overlapping and interlocking circular designs. Two other leaves from the same manuscript are illustrated in Philip Rawson, The Art of Tantra, New York, 1973, pls 158-9.