Details
Two Bhils hunting
gouache heightened with gold on paper, in a forest clearing the woman attracts the deer with a bell and torch as the man shoots a deer with his bow and arrow, both wear leaves, wide gold and blue floral border, gold and coloured rules, on buff leaf painted with gold flowers, probably Jaipur, late 18th century (good condition) - 4¾ x 7in. (12 x 17.5cm.)
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Lot Essay

The Bhils formed part of the tribal population of Rajesthan and were considered a great curiosity by the Mughals who repeatedly portrayed them in their leaf clothes. See also lot 301.
This is very similar to a well-known and popular scene where a Bhil girl guides a young Mughal prince. Though in Lucknow style, this miniature was probably painted in Rajesthan by an artist who had moved from Oudh. For comparison and further notes see Gahlin,S.:
The Courts of India, Indian Miniatures from the Collection of the Fondation Custodia, Paris, Amsterdam 1991, pl.50, p.51.

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