Page 80 - Indian and Himalayan Art, March 15, 2017 Sotheby's NYC

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271 PROPERTY FROM THE LANIER COLLECTION
78 SOTHEBY’S
A CHARGING ELEPHANT WITH HIS
MAHOUT
India, Rajasthan, Bundi,
early 18th Century

Ink and black chalk on pricked and pounced paper
image: 10¾ by 15 in. (25.4 by 38.1 cm)

PROVENANCE
Acquired 1987

An impressive and powerful elephant has broken
his chains and begins to run free as his mahout
sits atop with his sharp goad poised in an attempt
to restrain him.

For a related work, see M. C. Beach, Rajput
Painting at Bundi and Kota, Ascona, 1974, g. 74,
pl. LXXV.

$ 3,000-5,000

271

PROPERTY FROM THE LANIER COLLECTION

THE GODDESS DURGA BATTLING
MAHISHASURA
India, Rajasthan, Kotah,
mid-late 18th Century

Ink with black chalk and white bodycolor on paper
image: 10 by 6¾ in. (25.4 by 15.2 cm)
folio: 11¼ by 7¾ in. (28 by 17.8 cm)

PROVENANCE
Oscar Leneman Collection
Acquired mid-1970’s

The goddess Durga with her many arms and
weapons vigorously battling her enemy, the asura
king Mahishasura - seen here in human form -
trying to defend himself with sword and dagger,
but in vain. Crowned and nimbate she leaps
thrusting downward delivering the coup de grace
with her lance and katar ( st dagger).

This remarkably energetic drawing - with its
numerous pentimenti and compositional changes
in white bodycolor is extremely vigorous and
lively - like a whirlwind. At the same time its
composition is con dent. We feel its action and
its turbulent windmilling energy as the forces of
good clash against evil.

$ 2,500-3,000