Page 108 - Indian, Himalaya and Asian Art Bonhams Setp 2015

102 102
SULTAN IBRAHIM ADHAM OF BALKH VISITED BY ANGELS
103 Provincial Mughal, mid 18th century
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Sultan Ibrahim seated cross-
106 | BONHAMS legged on a tree stump, with his eyes closed in contemplation, four
angels standing before him in colorful robes bearing gifts, another
ascetic leaning against a small mound on the opposite side.
Image: 7 5/8 x 10 3/8 in. (19.4 x 26.4 cm)
$5,000 - 8,000

A popular subject in 18th-century Mughal paintings, echoing that of
Siddhartha, Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham (d.776-77) gave up the royal
Kingdom of Balkh to become a wandering dervish. Here, we see him
visited by angels who favor him over a more seasoned dervish, serving
him ten bowls of food and the other only one. When the other grumbles
in envy, a voice from the sky explains that whereas he was poor to begin
with, Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham gave up a lot more for the love of God.

Another example of this scene is published in Topsfield (ed.), In the
Realm of Gods and Kings: Arts of India, London, 2004, pp.196-7; also
see Christie’s, London, 10 October 2013, lot 179.

Provenance
Private New York Collection
Acquired from The Arcade Gallery Ltd, London, October 1972

103
AN ILLUSTRATION FROM A RAGAMALA SERIES:
BHAIRAVI RAGINI
Jaipur, early 18th century
With the city in the background, the maiden worships at the lingam
shrine beside a lush lotus pond.
Image: 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. (16.5 x 10.8 cm); Folio: 12 1/2 x 9 3/8 in.
(31.7 x 23.9 cm)
$3,000 - 5,000

Provenance
Private New York Collection
Acquired from Natesans Antiqarts Ltd., Bangalore, 22 February 1988