20th Jun, 2024 11:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
70
A KRISHNA RASLILA ILLUSTRATION: KRISHNA AND RADHA DANCING TOGETHER WITH THE GOPIS
Possibly Bundi or Mewar (Udaipur), Rajasthan, North-Western India, late 18th - early 19th century
A KRISHNA RASLILA ILLUSTRATION: KRISHNA AND RADHA DANCING TOGETHER WITH THE GOPIS
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Bundi or Mewar (Udaipur), Rajasthan, North-Western India, late 18th - early 19th century
Opaque pigments, ink, and gold on wove paper laid on cream cardboard, the large vertical-format composition reminiscent of an album page with the central field occupied by a typical Krishna Raslila (or Raasleela) illustration featuring concentric circles of cowherd girls (gopis) playing music and dancing around Krishna and Radha, the beloved couple portrayed in the centre inside a golden circle, an emblem of both their unity and spirituality, the tall tree and blue and white canopy with a low bed and cushions in the background alluding to the lovers' union and their blossoming, long-lasting love for each other; the outer album border paired with the Raslila illustration, laid as well on card, featuring concentric decorative floral bands and white-speckled red rules, the widest band with a gold and polychrome-painted grid in-filled with red flowers surrounded by their budding green leaves, the reverse plain except for concentric polychrome rules around an empty field, 51cm x 37cm.
Sold for £984
A KRISHNA RASLILA ILLUSTRATION: KRISHNA AND RADHA DANCING TOGETHER WITH THE GOPIS
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Bundi or Mewar (Udaipur), Rajasthan, North-Western India, late 18th - early 19th century
Opaque pigments, ink, and gold on wove paper laid on cream cardboard, the large vertical-format composition reminiscent of an album page with the central field occupied by a typical Krishna Raslila (or Raasleela) illustration featuring concentric circles of cowherd girls (gopis) playing music and dancing around Krishna and Radha, the beloved couple portrayed in the centre inside a golden circle, an emblem of both their unity and spirituality, the tall tree and blue and white canopy with a low bed and cushions in the background alluding to the lovers' union and their blossoming, long-lasting love for each other; the outer album border paired with the Raslila illustration, laid as well on card, featuring concentric decorative floral bands and white-speckled red rules, the widest band with a gold and polychrome-painted grid in-filled with red flowers surrounded by their budding green leaves, the reverse plain except for concentric polychrome rules around an empty field, 51cm x 37cm.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 20th Jun, 2024
After much anticipation, Azca Auctions is delighted to announce their inaugural sale, Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, taking place on Thursday 20th June at 11.00am BST.
The sale comprises over 250 lots showcasing the extraordinary diversity and celebrating the artistic craftsmanship of South, Southeast and Central Asia, as well as the Iranian plateau, the Middle East all the way to the Mediterranean shores.
This longed-for, inaugural auction opens with a remarkable Northern London private collection of Indian artefacts, previously unseen in the market. “An Eye for Detail” is meant to illustrate not only the artistic achievements and talents of Indian craftsmen, but also the multi-faceted cultural and religious reality the Indian Subcontinent managed to foster and keep alive throughout centuries. Three generations of collecting collide into a very personal, subjective and unusual selections of tools, vessels, paintings, accessories, photographs and decorative lots that range from £150 to £6,000 GBP, offering a chance to both seasoned buyers and new collectors to make their pick.
Following the private collection selection, the remaining 150 lots are divided between the Arts of South Asia and the Arts of the Islamic Lands, two worlds that, despite their substantial geographic distances, have always been tightly interlinked. Among the highlights, one can count a selection of eight official courtly album portraits of Mughal Emperors (lot 164); a large Qajar polychrome-painted moulded pottery tile with a banquet scene replicating the Safavid frescoes of the Chihil Sotun Palace in Isfahan (lot 206); and lastly, an elegant and intact 16th-century Ottoman Iznik plate with saz leaves and arabesques (lot 262).
Dive into a world of wonders and for any specific query, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Department, Beatrice Campi at beatrice@azcaauctions.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Viewing
Viewing will take place at the following address:
Metro Building, 8th Floor
1 Butterwick
London, W6 8DL
