NORTH INDIA, MURSHIDABAD, CIRCA 1770

Details

LAKSHMAN CUTS OFF THE NOSE OF SHURPANAKHA
NORTH INDIA, MURSHIDABAD, CIRCA 1770
Gouache heightened with gold on paper, the upper half of the painting depicting Lakshman cutting off the nose of Shurpanakha as Rama and Sita'look on, the lower half with a battle scene between Lakshman and Rama and the demon army of Kar and Dushan, set in a border of yellow scrolling vine on purple ground, the reverse with the seal impression of Sir Elijah Impey, partially rubbed
Painting 11½ x 7¼in. (29 x 18.3cm.); folio 12¾ x 8 5/8in. (32.4 x 21.7cm.)

Provenance

Sir Elijah Impey (1732-1809)
Sir Thomas Phillips Bt. (1792-1872.), sold Sotheby's, London, 26 November 1968, lot 417
Anon sale, Sotheby's, London, 16 April 1984, lot 32

Sale room notice

Please note that the Chester Beatty Library, The British Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum hold the majority of the folios from the 'Impey Ragamala', not the 'Impey Ramayana', as stated in the printed catalogue.

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Lot Essay

Sir Elijah Impey served as chief justice in Calcutta during the last quarter of the eighteenth century. His wife, Lady Mary Impey like her husband was very interested and receptive to Indian works of Art. They commissioned numerous painted series including the famous series of botanical drawings, a Ragamala series and a Ramayana series which includes our present painting.
Another folio from the 'Impey Ramayana' sold at Bonham's in New York, 19 March 2012, lot 1173.

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