SIGNED SHEIKH MUHAMMAD AMIR OF KARRAYA, CALCUTTA, INDIA, MID 19TH CENTURY

Sheikh Muhammad Amir of Karraya (fl. 1830-50) was an influential artist who worked for the British in Calcutta during the 19th century at a time of great prosperity. He delighted patrons with paintings of their houses, servants, carriages and horses. In deference to Western traditions he introduced shadows and other similar ploys into his art which were incorporated for their aesthetic rather than logical value. One of his best known clients was the businessman Thomas Holroyd, for whom he executed many of these scenes. An album of paintings that were made for Holroyd by Sheikh Muhammad Amir was presented to the Oriental Club in 1839 - it has now been split and the folios are in public and private collections.

For published works by Sheikh Muhammad Amir see John Guy and Deborah Swallow, Arts of India. 1550-1900, London, 1990, p.198, no. 173 and Stuart Cary Welch, Room for Wonder. Indian Painting during the British Period 1760-1880, New York, 1978, pp.67-72, nos.20-24. The artist is perhaps best known for his paintings of racehorses and their grooms, a number of which have recently sold through these Rooms, 5 October 1999, lot 114, 24 September 2003, lot 140, 5 October 2010, lot 386 and 26 April 2012, lot 352. However he is also known to have painted houses, gardens, house pets and servants. This painting, which depicts an Indian wedding, is reflective of the desire of a number of British patrons to record a world that was new to them, in which they were enjoying their heyday.