Page 140 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art March 2016 New York

97 A white and gold curtain covers the entrance’s courtyard as only one
AN ILLUSTRATION FROM A RAGAMALA SERIES: guest is expected this evening. Twin peacocks suggest the impending
GUNAKALI RAGINI tryst, unusual additions for illustrations of this raga. A maid appears
Bikaner, circa 1750 from behind a green door to check in on her mistress, but everything
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. is already set. The jasmine garland to greet him, and the chauri to dote
Image: 8 1/4 x 5 1/8 in. (21 x 13 cm); on him are placed upon the purple and gold couch. Pan, flower petals,
Folio: 10 1/4 x 7 3/4 in. (26 x 19.7 cm) and wine lay ready in gold vessels to indulge in. Bedecked with jewels,
$15,000 - 20,000 now our beautiful heroine must simply wait for her lover. But her calm
expression is betrayed by the impassioned sky at dusk, bustling with
138 | BONHAMS oranges, whites, purples, blues, and gilded edges.

Provenance
Private Collection, New York
Acquired from Colnaghi, Ltd, London, April 1980