Page 112 - Indian, Himalaya and Asian Art Bonhams Setp 2015

106 (recto)
106 (verso)
106
A DOUBLE-SIDED FOLIO FROM AN ILLUSTRATED BHAGAVATA
PURANA SERIES
Mewar, circa 1630-40
Opaque watercolor, ink, and silver on paper; Book Ten, Folio 56, with
illustrations accompanying mentioned verses 43 & 44 on the recto,
and 49 & 54 on the verso.
Folio: 8 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (22.2 x 40 cm)
$4,000 - 6,000
Each side has a verse in red Braj identifying the scenes. Recto:
The city of Hastinapura starts shaking when an enraged Balarama
threatens to pull the city into the river Ganga. We see the Kauravas
and their wives in the upper register asking for Balarama’s forgiveness.
Verso: The Kauravas ask for forgiveness and agree to send
Lakshmana in a palanquin accompanied by elephants and horses to
Dwarka with Krishna and Balarama.
110 | BONHAMS
As background, the oldest Kaurava brother, Duryodhana, had
arranged a marriage ceremony in Hastinapura for his daughter
Lakshmana, where the bride to be picks her husband from a selection
of suitors (swayamvara). However, Samba (Krishna’s son) coveting
her beauty, abducted her during the ceremony. The Kauravas finally
caught and imprisoned him, but Balarama (Samba’s uncle) came to
his rescue.
For other leaves from this manuscript see: Ehnbom, Indian Miniatures,
New York, 1985, no. 49; Poster, Realms of Heroism, New York,
1994, nos 154-5; the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1980.530.1a, b);
Sotheby’s, New York, 22 March 2002, lot 13 and 26 March 2003, lot
120; and Christie’s, New York, 22 March 2000, lot 163.
Provenance
Collection of Dr and Mrs Robert Dickes, acquired before 1980
Thence by descent