ISLAMIC, INDIAN ART & JEWELS
Lot 93:
Description
A rare and finely preserved set of thirteen Indian mica paintings from the Company School period, dating to the 19th century, vividly depicting scenes of everyday life and ceremonial occasions in colonial India.
Each painting is delicately executed on thin sheets of natural mica, a translucent mineral prized for its luminous quality and smooth surface, allowing the artists to achieve extraordinary clarity and vibrancy of color. The paintings capture a rich variety of subjects typical of the Company style—royal processions, tradesmen, musicians, travelers, and courtly figures—each rendered with meticulous attention to costume, gesture, and setting.
The compositions illustrate the diversity of Indian society under British rule: noblemen riding camels, elephants, and horses; merchants displaying textiles; servants attending to colonial figures; musicians performing in open courtyards; and architectural backdrops featuring palaces, temples, and pavilions. The jewel-like palette of reds, greens, blues, and golds highlights the refinement of Company School workshops, likely from Patna, Murshidabad, or Trichinopoly—centers known for such mica works made for European patrons and travelers.
The group is arranged beautifully in this presentation, demonstrating the narrative and ethnographic appeal that made these paintings highly sought after during the 19th century.
L:15cm, W: 11cm each
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