Lot 298 THE CARPET SHAWL MERCHANT NEGOTIATION, AMRITSA, PUNJAB INDIA, 19TH CENTURY
Watercolor on paper.
28 by 20 cm.
Catalogue note
This 19th-century Indian miniature painting, attributed to the celebrated Sikh artist Bishan Singh (c. 1836–1900) of the Amritsar school, depicts an intimate commercial or social encounter in a palatial interior. A nobleman in a rich green jama and white turban sits cross-legged on a striped floor covering, gesturing toward an ornate rolled carpet or textile. He engages with a woman in a yellow garment and orange turban-like headdress, who leans forward attentively while a young attendant in red and green offers or adjusts the merchandise. The scene unfolds against a backdrop of elegant architecture with a balcony, a framed mirror or niche, and a small bird perched on the ledge—adding a touch of quiet lyricism typical of later Indian miniature traditions. Bishan Singh, known for his detailed courtly scenes, processions, and portraits from the Sikh Empire period, often blended Mughal refinement with vibrant Sikh-school coloring and observational realism. Here, the careful rendering of textiles, facial features, and architectural elements reflects his mastery of gouache on paper, capturing everyday elegance and human interaction with warmth and precision. The composition exemplifies the enduring appeal of miniature painting in late 19th-century North India, where traditional techniques met a growing interest in genre subjects beyond formal durbar portraits.