Matsya avatar (the Fish). Inscribed: ‘Matsy’ avatar. 183 by 131 mm. Visnu emerges from the jaws of a fish to battle with the demon Hayagriva who floats on the water in a conch shell.
Kurma avatar (the Tortoise). Inscribed: ‘Brahma, Siva, Vishnu.’ 211 by 147 mm. The gods and demons churn the ocean with the serpent Vasuki and Mount Mandara. Visnu sits aloft. Many of the lost items are shown recovered: the moon, the sun, Indra’s elephant, the horse Uchchaihsravas, the bow ...
Varaha avatar (the Boar). Inscribed: ‘Varaha vatara.’ 183 by 129 mm. Visnu, boar-headed, raises the earth on his tusks and fights with the demon Hiranyaksha.
Rama avatar (Ramachandra). Inscribed: ‘Hanuman, Lakshman, Rama, Ravana.’ 183 by 132 mm. Rama and Lakshmana are in combat with the demon king Ravana and Hanuman flies above with a boulder.
Krishna avatar. 209 by 143 mm. Vasudeva bears his infant son Krishna across the Jumna to the foster-mother Yasoda, as a serpent and lion rise in adoration beside him. Devaki waits in a chamber on the left while the guards sleep outside.
Matsya avatar (the Fish). Inscribed above in nagari:’ matsya’; on reverse: full page of Persian description. Coloured drawing. 225 by 152 mm. Visnu emerging from the jaws of a fish is acclaimed by four ‘rishis’ who stand at the water’s edge; the demon Hayagriva is vanquished beneath.
Parasurama avatar (Rama with the axe). Inscribed above in nagari:’ parasurama’; on reverse: five lines of Persian description. Coloured drawing. 222 by 151 mm. Rama uses his axe in battle with the thousand-armed Kartavirya.
Krishna avatar. Inscribed above in nagari:’ krishna’; on reverse: three lines of Persian description. Coloured drawing with some gouache and gold. 223 by 152 mm. Krishna killing Kansa; he has dragged the king forward by the hair ready to strike him with an elephant tusk; Balarama stands by a...