Art of the Mughal Empire

The painting is part of a manuscript page. The painting occupies the left side of the page while the text occupies the panel on the right. The painting features Devi in the foreground who receives a demon warrior. Devi holds a white trident in one of her four arms while another arm holds a cup. She sits in front of a domed white marble structure, facing the demon warrior, who has a sword and bow and arrow.
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Sirohi School
A Demon Warrior Worships Devi
ink, watercolor, and gold on paper
5 in x 9 in (12.7 cm x 22.86 cm);14 in x 18 in (35.56 cm x 45.72 cm);5 in x 9 in (12.7 cm x 22.86 cm)
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink

Persian poetry and proverbs anthology manuscript page
ink on glazed paper
8 1/4 in x 5 5/8 in (20.9 cm x 14.3 cm)
Museum Purchase
Artist Unknown, India, Uttar Pradesh, Chaurapancasika Style
In a wooded background with a small temple sheltering the lingam. Floral
foreground. From a Ragamala Series.
ink and opaque watercolor on birch bark
5 1/4 in x 8 9/16 in (13.3 cm x 21.8 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel
Artist Unknown, India, Delhi, Mughal or Deccani
A family of Bhil hunters
ink, watercolor wash, and gold on paper
5 1/4 in x 4 15/16 in (13.3 cm x 12.5 cm);4 15/16 in x 5 1/4 in (12.5 cm x 13.3 cm);19 3/8 in x 14 3/8 in (49.21 cm x 36.51 cm)
Gift of Mr. George P. Bickford for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
A scene in the life of Mahavira. The composition is designated a narrow strip near the left, while the rest of the page is used for text and red circles. The illustration is divided into two registers, with depictions of two women in each. The infant Mahavira is seen in his mother’s arms, at the upper left.
Indian
The Sixth Night Vigil from a Kalpasutra manuscript (fol. no. 38v), depicting two pairs of queens
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
4 3/8 in x 10 3/8 in (11.1 cm x 26.4 cm)
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink in memory of Morris Foster
In this idyllic scene, the goddess Parvati offers her husband Shiva a drink, as they enjoy a quiet moment together. Their children, the elephant-headed Ganesha and Skanda, play inside a tent made from the hide of an elephant demon that Shiva had slain. Both parents are clothed in animal skins, the garb of mountain-dwelling ascetics, while Shiva is further adorned with a long necklace of skulls and a snake.
Artist Unknown, India, Punjab Hills, Kangra School
Shiva and his family
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
7 ⅝ in x 5 ⅜ in (19.37 cm x 13.65 cm);19 3/10 in x 14 3/10 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);7 ⅝ in x 5 ⅜ in (19.37 cm x 13.65 cm)
Gift of Dr. Walter R. Parker
Leaf from a Kalpasutra manuscript with calligraphic text. Font size varies, and in the center of the leaf text wraps around a blank box of parchment with a red dot in the center. To the left of this main text block is a colorful illustration of an enthroned figure in a dotted robe flanked by devotees. Surrounding him are various auspicious symbols.
Indian
Kalpasutra manuscript, leaf: A Jaina monk (fol. no. 2r)
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
4 3/8 in x 3 in (11.11 cm x 7.62 cm)
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
Krishna, in blue, and Balarama are portrayed in identical poses and wearing peacock-feather headdresses. The paunchy bearded figure at right is their mentor, Sandipani. Two other, older students appear at left. They are seated, approximately equidistantly spaced, in an architectural structure that organizes the space.
Artist Unknown, India, Uttar Pradesh, Chaurapancasika Style
Bhagavata Purana series: Krishna and Balarama Studying with the Brahman Sandipani
ink and opaque watercolor on paper
6 1/2 in x 9 1/16 in (16.5 cm x 23 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);9 1/16 in x 6 1/2 in (23 cm x 16.5 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel
Balbir Sen of Mandi sits with his legs tucked under him against a purplish bolster on an oval orange carpet with a green border.  He wears a white garment with green borders and some jewelry:  a ring, bracelets, an armlet, necklaces, earrings and wears a green turban with a turban jewel across the front, surmounted by a black feathered aigrette.  A sword signifying his rank lies across his body.  He sits in strict profile with a heavy black beard and mustache.  The paper is plain and uncolored except around the figure, which is painted against a white wash taking the shape of the seated man and his setting.<br />Inscriptions in devanagari script are above the painting.<br />
Indian
Portrait of Maharaja Balbir Sen of Mandi
opaque watercolor and gold on paper
7 1/4 in x 5 1/8 in (18.4 cm x 13 cm);19 3/8 in x 14 3/8 in (49.21 cm x 36.51 cm)
Gift of Mr. George P. Bickford for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
This is a brightly colored painting on a light background. It depicts a three- tiered scene with several figures, standing and kneeling, looking toward a central seated figure in the top tier. This male figure is seated in lotus position on a throne, decorated with colorful designs. To his left and right are attendants who fan him. In the middle tier, there is a nude man with long hair, a kneeling woman and a figure who is half-man and half-serpent. In the bottom tier, there are two kneeling men, wearing robes and headdresses, with hands pressed together and eyes gazing upward toward the main figure. They are surrounded by a tiger, a bird, an insect and a serpent.
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Sirohi School
Digambara Jain manuscript page: Jina venerated by a monk and a royal devotee
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
11 5/16 x 7 1/16 in. (28.7 x 17.8 cm);11 5/16 x 7 1/16 in. (28.7 x 17.8 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel.
The drawing is mounted on an album page of a yellowish color flecked with gold.  There is a narrow frame in a slighter lighter tone outlined with gold and red lines.  The main figure sits facing the viewer and is in a long robe.  An emaciated, nearly nude figure faces him squatting with his hand on one knee.  Another ascetic stands and offers obeisance to the master.  One dog rolls around in front of him and another on a leash walks behind him.  There is a clump of bushes to the lower left and a tree to the upper left tops a diagonal leading down to the right with a large group of twisted trees. <br />
Artist Unknown, Mughal Workshop, Uttar Pradesh
Ascetics with dogs in landscape
black and red opaque watercolor and gold on paper
8 3/4 in x 13 1/2 in (22.22 cm x 34.29 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);13 1/16 in x 8 1/4 in (33.18 cm x 20.96 cm)
Museum purchase, Acquisition Fund

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Asia — by seth@whirl-i-gig.com (February 13 2017 @ 11:59 am)
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Part of 3 Learning Collections

99 Collection Object Sources

Ambika (1975/2.114)
Dipa-Lakshmi (1976/2.36)
Krishna Fluting (1964/2.120)
Kamodani Ragini (1981/2.50)
Dipak Raga (1985/1.133)

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April 4, 2020 2:07 p.m.

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