[INDIAN PAINTINGS ON MANUSCRIPT LEAVES: A BULL AND A CAMEL]. A pair of paintings in gold and color, overpainted on a manuscript of a Persian / Urdu dictionary

India, 19th or 20th century. Good. Two paintings on manuscript leaves (ca. 300 x 220 mm), both hinged on plexiglas so that the verso is visible, both matted (matte size: 400 x 315 mm). Edges of manuscript leaves significantly worm-damaged, without loss to painting of the bull, but intruding in several places into that of the camel. Colors vibrant and gold quite bright. Very attractive paintings. Two delicate Indian paintings that were likely made for the tourist trade, painted on manuscript leaves that have nothing to do with the images. The Arabic text of the manuscript is a Persian / Urdu dictionary. We admire the delicacy of the painting, particularly the modelling of the faces which are expressive. The hair on both animals is rendered in almost impossibly thin brush strokes. Suitable for exhibition and study.

We are grateful to Kelley Tuttle for her characteristically excellent cataloguing assistance.