DECCAN, CENTRAL INDIA, SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY

Gatherings of dervishes are a recurrent theme in Mughal painting of the 17th and 18th century. The paintings seem to encapsulate the euphoric and random state of mind of their intoxicated subjects and often feature figures dancing, reclining, drinking and sleeping – as here. Two similar compositions are in private collections, each illustrated in Ludwig V. Habighorst, Peter A. Reichart and Vijay Sharma, Love for Pleasure, Koblenz, 2007, pls.67 and 68, pp.103 and 104. An early 17th century Mughal painting of the same subject sold at Christie’s, London, 23 September 2005, lot 114. Another Deccani version, although dated to circa 1640 and done in grisaille, sold at Christie’s, London, 14 October 2003, lot 149.