NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 18TH CENTURY

Details

A PAINTED AND LACQUERED SMALL FALL-FRONT CHEST
NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 18TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form on four ivory feet, the sides with two loop handles, the fall-front with later added brass lock plate, opening to reveal six drawers, with iron mounts and handles, the figural painted decoration depicting enthroned princes attended by pages, with gilt highlights, varnished, old restoration
6¾ x 8¾ x 6 3/8in. (17.1 x 22.3 x 16.3cm.)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

The shape of this fall-front cabinet derives from 16th century European examples. A very similar cabinet painted with very fine scenes in the Mughal style, with an identical arrangement of six drawers in the interiors and of similar size is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is dated to early 17th century (Amin Jaffer, Luxury Goods from India, The Art of the Indian Cabinet Maker, London, 2002, cat.6, pp.25-27.) The tradition of cabinets painted with narrative scenes was still very much alive through to the mid-19th century, as illustrated by a cabinet from Jamnagar and dated to that period (Amin Jaffer, op.cit., cat.46, pp.108-109)

More from Arts of India

View All