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.
Saraswati(?). Hyderabad, c.1770. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Gouache with gold; gold and pink paper borders. 164 by 105 mm; page 265 by 175 mm. Saraswati, enthroned and diademed, holds in her four hands an axe, tambur, book and a rosary of temple eyes. There is a flower-be...
Ganesa with attendants. Hyderabad, c.1750. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Gouache with gold; green border. 78 by 138 mm; page 88 by 145 mm. Ganesa is enthroned with his rat at his feet and two female attendants stand on either side holding lamps; red background. Note: Perhaps...
Siva and Parvati. Hyderabad, c.1770. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Gouache with gold; gold and pink paper borders. 177 by 135 mm; page 285 by 214 mm. Siva and Parvati sit on a ‘gold’ chauki beneath a tree. Siva holds a gold vessel and the Ganges flows from a small human head...
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.
Siva and Parvati with Nandi. Murshidabad, c.1770. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Inscribed on reverse in Persian: ‘bara-i sahib ‘alishan mister richard johnson sahib bahadur dam iqbal’ (for Sahib Alishan Mister Richard Johnson Sahib Bahadur, may his successes increase); and: ‘ta...
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...
Balarama avatar. Amber, c.1720. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Gouache with gold; on album pages with gilt-sprinkled mauve and plain borders. Numbered 77 in Persian inventory note. 220 by 155 mm; page 305 by 207 mm. Balarama diverts the river Jumna with his ploughshare. He i...
