Add Or 2553

A sweeper ‘(mehtar)’ and water-carrier ‘(bihishti)’ cleaning a drain or water-channel in a garden.

By the Calcutta artist, Shaikh Muhammad Amir of Karraya, c.1830-35.

Inscribed on front in English: ‘Bhisty’;’ Mayter’; in Persian characters: ‘bihishti’; ‘mihtar’;’ Shaikh Muhammad Amir musauwir.’

Water-colour; 6.25 by 9.25 ins.

Purchased 30 May 1969.

Note: A picture from an album of paintings made for Thomas Holroyd, a Calcutta business man, and presented by him to the Oriental Club, London. When Holroyd was elected to the Oriental Club in 1839 he was described in its ‘Annals’ as ‘Late of Fergusson & Co.’, having been in 1836 ‘an assignee of Cruttenden and Co.’. The album contained a whole set of paintings by Shaikh Muhammad Amir depicting Holroyd’s house (no.5, Park Street, Chowringhee), his carriage, horses, palanquin and servants, as well as familiar Calcutta sights and scenes. Each picture was signed by the artist in Persian. For other paintings from this album, see Maggs Bros., ‘Oriental miniatures and illumination, Bulletin no 3’ (London, 1962), nos.57-66. The following notes by Holroyd occur on the picture of a horse, ‘‘Maidan Calcutta. One of ten - driven alternately in the Coach - each could do her mile in 3 minutes’’; on the painting of his house,’ ‘Our House in Park Street Chowringhi Calcutta’ ‘by a Native Artist’’; on a picture of a palanquin, ‘‘T. H.’s Livery Colours in Turban and Cumberband band of servant’’; on the picture of a horse-drawn vehicle, ‘‘Indian barouche and native lady of rank’. ‘Plain Livery - Costume au naturel’.’