Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming (1837-1924)

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Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming (1837-1924)
Hill Temples amongst the Deodars and Indian Elms at Nachar, India
signed, inscribed and dated 'June 10th-1864/C.F.G.C./and Indian Elms Deodars. at Nachar J.F. Lance/Charlie B... Graves Maggie ... C.R. Frances' and two further indistinct signatures; pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour, unframed
15 7/8 x 24¾in. (403 x 628mm.)

Lot Essay

Constance Gordon-Cumming and her travelling companions stopped at Nachar amongst the Deodar trees, ancient Indian pines, for two weeks.
She wrote '4 miles beyond Sungri forest lay our next camping ground, at Nachar, another bit of grand old cedar forest where splendid old trees overshadow a glade of greenest grass, chequered with vivid lights and deepest shadows. At this lovely spot an officer of the forest department has wisely made his home, a cheery Briton, commonly known as "The Laird of Nachar", who gave us a cordial welcome to his domain, and pointed out a quiet, delightful nook for our tents, beyond his rough and ready little bungalow, a nook whence we could overlook the beautiful cedar glade, where in the sacred grove stand two very picturesque hill temples...one of these was a regular temple. The other merely a wooden roof above a paved terrace whereon to rest the Khuda (the Idol Tabernacle) on the occasion of the Great Festivals.' (C.F. Gordon-Cumming, From the Hebrides to the Himalayas, London, 1876, p.187)

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