[PAHARI MINIATURE]. Falconry Scene. [India, first half of th...

Hammer

€26,000

[PAHARI MINIATURE]. Falconry Scene. [India, first half of the 18th century].
A large and refined miniature depicting a Mughal nobleman on horseback during a falconry expedition, accompanied by an attendant. The composition unfolds across several planes within an expansive landscape of hills and wetlands: trees and clusters of vegetation punctuate the heights in the light of dawn, while herons and other birds inhabit the stretches of water below; a small settlement is visible in the far distance. At the centre, the falconer, dressed entirely in white, rides a richly caparisoned bay horse and carries a bird of prey on his gloved hand, while his attendant leads a second falcon. To the right, a raptor is shown seizing a bird in flight, providing the dynamic focus of the composition. Falconry, deeply rooted in Islamic aristocratic culture and particularly favoured at the Mughal court, became a recurring subject in Indian painting, combining the depiction of the hunt with an evocation of rank and courtly life. Dating from the first half of the eighteenth century, the miniature displays characteristics associated with the painting of northern India, with possible Pahari influences; in the absence of further evidence, an attribution to the Murshidabad school appears less certain.

Miniature on paper (440 × 320 mm), within a triple polychrome border decorated with naturalistic and stylised floral motifs; mounted on board decorated with repeating red flowers against a gilt ground, with an additional outer border of flowers and foliage. In excellent condition, with only minimal defects. (1)