Lot 147 AN ILLUSTRATION TO A RAGAMALA SERIES BASOHLI, NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1680

Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper.
This exquisite Basohli painting, a fine example of the early Pahari miniature tradition, captures a serene moment of interaction between a noble lady and a bird. The Basohli School, originating in the Punjab Hills during the late 17th century, is renowned for its bold use of color, stylized forms, and emotional intensity, often reflecting themes of devotion, nature, and courtly life.
In this artwork, a gracefully adorned lady, dressed in vibrant traditional attire with a flowing blue skirt and a red blouse, is depicted feeding a bird perched on a tree. Her delicate gesture, extending a small bowl towards the bird, symbolizes a harmonious connection with nature, a recurring motif in Pahari art. The lady’s attire is intricately detailed with gold accents, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship typical of Basohli painters. Her jewelry, including bangles, earrings, and a headpiece, further emphasizes her noble status.
The composition is set against a striking mustard-yellow background, a hallmark of Basohli paintings, which provides a vivid contrast to the lush green trees and the lady’s colorful garments. The trees, stylized with rounded, cloud-like foliage, are populated with small birds, adding a sense of liveliness to the scene. The horizon is marked by a subtle band of white and blue, suggesting a distant landscape under a clear sky.
24 by 23 cm.

A red border with worn edges frames the painting, indicating its age and historical journey, while a line of Devanagari script at the top likely provides a title or description, a common practice in miniature paintings of this period. The script appears to be in a regional dialect, possibly identifying the subject or the artist .This painting exemplifies the Basohli School’s early style, characterized by its flat, two-dimensional perspective, vibrant palette, and emotional expressiveness. It offers a glimpse into the cultural and artistic milieu of the Punjab Hills, where nature, beauty, and human emotion were celebrated through the medium of miniature painting. ( refer lot no-26 sold for 161,000 GBP , 25 May 2017 Christies)

PROVENANCE
Private collection, Germany