SAFAVID KHORASSAN, SECOND HALF 16TH CENTURY

Paintings of composite animals of this type gained popularity towards the end of the 16th century. Whilst the meaning is open to interpretation, many believe that it has mystical significance – likely referring to the unity of creatures within God. The subject was popular in both Iran and India, where inspired by Persian prototypes they became popular in Mughal and Deccani painting from the late 16^th century. A similar depiction of a composite camel is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc.no.25.83.6). Another is in the Fogg Art Museum (1954.57), where like ours the figure and attendant are depicted against a light blue ground. For a silk carpet with a similar depiction of a composite camel, see lot 226 in the sale.