MANDI, CIRCA 1770-80

Details

RAJA SHAMSER SEN OF MANDI (1727-1781)
Mandi, circa 1770-80
Gouache on paper, the raja depicted sitting in a deep red cloak puffing upon his hookah, as wisps of grey smoke drift into the air above his head, in the background is a chowri bearer and servant holding a gold-topped staff, black margins, red leaf with title, numbered on reverse, some wear on border
Folio 10¾ x 8¾in. (27.3 x 22cm.); miniature 8¾ x 7in. (22 x 17.7cm.)

Provenance

S.N. Kalia, April 1962

Literature

Mildred Archer, Indian Miniatures and Folk Paintings, London, 1967, fig.31
W.G. Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, London, 1973, Mandi, no. 36, p. 272
W.G. Archer, Pahari Paintings, a Concise History, London, 1975, pl.18.
W.G. Archer, Visions of Courtly India, London and New York, 1976, no. 59, pp. 110-1

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The title in takri reads sri davan, or 'chief minister'. Shamser Sen came to the throne at the age of five, succeeding his grandfather, the great warrior Sidi Sen. As he matured his behaviour grewe increasingly bizarre. He consorted with bogus holy men, dressed as Shiva and re-enacted the god's many roles (W.G. Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, London, 1973, vol.II, Mandi, no.24) as well as consorting with transvestites (B.N. Goswamy, Pahari Masters, Zurich, 1992, no.81, p.201).

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