HORSE AND HIS GROOM MUGHAL, MID-18TH CENTURY

HORSE AND HIS GROOM MUGHAL, MID-18TH CENTURY Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; mounted on an album page; verso with nastaliq calligraphy on gold speckled blue paper, referencing Sufi Sufyan al-Thawri and dated 8 Safar 1101 (November 21, 1689 CE). Image: 4 3/4 x 6 7/8 in. (12.1 x 17.5 cm); Folio: 8 x 12 in. (20.3 x 30.5 cm) Footnotes: This is an unusually tender scene of a groom caring for his horse. The rare piebald stallion, stamping its feet in anticipation, is caparisoned with a luxurious saddle, gold embroidered cloth, and gilt trappings. The mane falls freely to one side in delicate wavy strands, revealing a large ruby adorning its neck. The pale airy blue background allows for direct focus on the figures and their rich colors. Only the slightest reference to a grassy landscape is found along the bottom edge and a dark blue sky along the very top. The treatment of the horse, including the arrangement of his mane and ornamental tack, is consistent with studies produced by Dalchand in the mid-18th century (cf. Haider in Beach et al., Masters of Indian Painting II, Zurich, 2011, figs. 4, 5, 8 & 15). Provenance Private Collection, New York Bonhams, New York, 11 September 2012, lot 72 Conley Harris Collection, Boston For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing