Kurma avatara (the Tortoise) Inscribed above in nagari: Kurma 222 by 153 mm; page 333 by 248 mm Gods and demons churn the ocean with the serpent Vasuki and Mount Mandara. Vishnu is seated above.
Rama avatar. Inscribed above in nagari:’ Rama.’ 220 by 153 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Hanuman stands before Rama who is sitting on a hillock with Sita and Lakshmana.
Narasimha avatar (the Man-lion). Inscribed above in nagari:’ Narasimha.’ 222 by 151 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. The lion-headed Visnu emerges from a stone pillar to disembowel the blasphemous Hiranyakasipu. Prahlada stands by with head averted.
Kalki avatar (the White Horse). Inscribed above in nagari:’ Kalki.’ 221 by 153 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Kalki sits on a silver throne holding a fly-whisk over his shoulder, while the white horse stands behind with legs and belly painted red as a symbol of victory.
Varaha avatar (the Boar). 221 by 154 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Visnu, boar-headed, balances the world on his tusks. Standing in reverence on either side are Garuda, Jambavat, Brahma, Siva and Indra. Hiranyaksha lies conquered in the waters below.
Vamana avatar (the Dwarf). 223 by 151 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Visnu in his dwarf form completes the strides which carry him to the upper region where four figures pour the Ganges from water-pots. One of four wrestlers clings to Visnu’s foot, but the other three have fallen beneath. Bali watc...
A courtier. Mughal, c.1780. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Drawing with a little gilt and colour; laid down on paper. 134 by 111 mm; page 184 by 118 mm. Reproduced: Stchoukine (1929), pl.XLVIIIb. The courtier with full black beard kneels facing left, holding a pink flower in ...
An eighteenth-century Mughal nobleman. Oudh, c.1770-80. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Numbered 17 in Persian inventory note. Gouache; on an album page with inner blue border and outer gilt-sprinkled margin. 155 by 75 mm; page 415 by 292 mm. A Mughal nobleman of the eighteent...
A Mughal prince and mistress. Oudh, c.1770-80. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. ‘Charba’; mounted on paper. 160 by 93 mm; page 210 by 138 mm. A Mughal prince is seated beneath a canopy dallying with a lady who lies with her head across his lap; refreshments are spread before the...
A Mughal officer. Mughal, c.1605. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Persian inventory inscription (not numbered). Gouache; outer gilt floral border on blue paper, reinforced at edges. 114 by 57 mm; page 325 by 227 mm. Reverse: 14 ‘baits of nasta‘liq’ calligraphy from a 17th cent...
