Page 16 - Pundole's Auction M0015

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Painting at the court of Bundi flourished in the early 17th 4‡*
century and continued well into the late 19th century. The
court scenes are infused with a lively energy, and the PROPERTY FROM A ROYAL COLLECTION
style is characterised by a fondness for lush vegetation
and dramatic skies. Likewise, paintings from Kota, the A PROCESSIONAL SCENE, SHRI
neighbouring principality, shared many elements of the RAO SARDAR SINGH (1740?–1778)
Bundi school, and in many instances it is hard to see any WITH HIS ENTOURAGE
significant stylistic distinctions. These vigorous paintings
are exemplified by the royal hunting scenes depicted in Uniara, India, c.1760–1770
the thick hilly jungle that is characteristic of the region. The Opaque pigment on paper heightened with gold
current and following lots both fall firmly within this broad Image 10½ × 18 in. (26.7 × 45.7 cm.)
genre of painting, and are fine examples of the tradition. folio 11? × 18? in. (29.4 × 45.9 cm.)

Both lots depict rulers from the court of Uniara, which ??8,00,000?–12,00,000
lies approximately sixty miles to the north east of Bundi.
Hence, despite being stylistically associated with the Bundi- REGISTERED ANTIQUITY – NON-EXPORTABLE ITEM
Kota style, Milo Beach, in his 1974 publication titled Rajput (Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of Sale
Painting at Bundi and Kota, catalogued the boar hunting at the back of the catalogue)
scene as Uniara school. In the current example, the
processional scene bears close similarities to a mural
painting on the Kota palace walls that is published by
Beach, (see Milo Cleveland Beach, Rajput Painting at Bundi
and Kota, Ascona, 1974, fig.?119), but it is likely that it was
painted at a slightly earlier period than the murals, which
Beach dates to the early 19th century.

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