Page 232 - Himalayan Art Macrh 19 2018 Bonhams

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LADY WITH A PARAKEET The profile of the nayika is masterfully drawn with soft rounded nose
ATTRIBUTED TO SAJNU, MANDI, CIRCA 1820 and chin and small plump lips. In addition, the very pale yellow tone
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; verso inscribed with number of her skin and wisps of hair trailing across her ear are all common
39 and in devanagari: Sri ram ji. Takri sri ram ji sri ganesaya namah elements from the hand of Sajnu. Sajnu was a master painter from
sri jagadambe prasanna; “Praise Lord Rama. Praise Lord Rama, Kangra who worked in the court of Isvari Sen, Raja of Mandi (r. 1788-
Adoration to Lord Ganesha, May Goddess Jagadamba be pleased”, 1826), from 1800-20. He is best known for his beautifully painted floral
and Jis wakat hukam dita ja a tameel kiti janghi dughe jaise hukam borders and spandrels, often oval-shaped central images, extensive
hoye so manjoor; “At any time an order passed shall be obeyed. Other use of white, and a lyrical quality found throughout his compositions,
commands shall also be fulfilled”. as evident in the present lot. Compare with several pages attributed
Image: 8 3/8 x 6 1/8 in. (21.8 x 15.7 cm); to Sajnu in Archer, Indian Paintings in the Punjab Hills, London, 1973,
Folio: 10 3/4 x 8 1/2 in. (25.7 x 22.3 cm) vol.II, pp.273-6, nos.42-50, also see Kalista & Rochell, Classical Indian
Paintings, New York, 2015, p.99, no.36.

$20,000 - 30,000
Although following the idea of a ruler in a jharokha window, the
concept of the courtesan in this mode is unknown. A closely related
Rendered in exquisite detail, this charming scene of a lovelorn nayika portrait of a lady holding a wine cup within a similar oval composition
gently caressing a parakeet is the epitome of illustrated love poetry was attributed to Kangra and dated circa 1780 by Simon Ray in
popular in the Punjab Hills in the late 18th and early 19th century. Indian and Islamic Works of Art, London, 2008, p.158, no.69. Another
The small pet bird keeps her entertained until the return of a beloved attributed to Jaipur is published in Tandon, Miniature Painting 16th
fiancé or husband. Parakeets represent fertility, so the scene may through 19th centuries, 1982, fig.176. A third attributed to Golconda
symbolize a wish for the princess to become a bride and have a life in the Binney collection is published in Desai, Life at Court, 1985, p.77,
with many children. Indian ring-neck parakeets are one of the birds no.61.
most commonly kept as pets, though if not given sufficient affection
they become unruly. Provenance
Royal Mandi Collection
Private European Collection acquired in 1969
Rob Dean Art, London, 2015

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