MUGHAL INDIA, CIRCA 1820

Details

AKBAR II (R.1806-37) WITH HIS SON MIRZA SELIM SEATED ON AN ELEPHANT
MUGHAL INDIA, CIRCA 1820
Translucent pigments heightened with gold on paper, three identifying inscriptions in neat black nasta'liq above with another under the elephant's head, pasted onto cardboard and subsequently pasted onto plain paper, the verso plain
Painting 9 x 7 ½in. (22.9 x 19cm.)

Engraved

The long inscription in the top centre across two lines identifies Akbar Shah II. The figure to the right holding a flywhisk is identified by the inscription above as the Prince Mirza Selim. The figure driving the elephant is identified above as Mirza Najaf Ali Khan Faujdar. The elephant is identified as Chand Murat by the inscription under its chin.

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Lot Essay

This composition of the Mughal Emperor Akbar Shah II seems to have been a popular subject for Company School artists in Delhi. An almost identical painting from the collection of Lord Amherst is in the Victoria & Albert Museum (IS.59-1964) and was likely made during Amhert’s visit to the Delhi in 1827. Another similar to a painting of the procession of Akbar Shah II sold in Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence, Christie’s New York, 19 June 2019, lot 146.

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