16th Jul, 2021 14:00

Islamic & Indian Art

 
  Lot 227
 

A PROFILE PORTRAIT OF TIPU SULTAN, RULER OF MYSORE (1750 - 1799)
Possibly Deccan region, Central India, mid to late 19th century

A PROFILE PORTRAIT OF TIPU SULTAN, RULER OF MYSORE (1750 - 1799)
Possibly Deccan region, Central India, mid to late 19th century

Opaque pigments on wove paper, the vertical composition depicting a profile portrait of the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan (1750 - 1799), leaning against a green oval bolster, wearing a white muslin vest, a simple strand of pearls around his chest, and an elaborate gem-encrusted sarpech (turban ornament) attached to another strand of pearls and surmounted by a white heron feather, wearing a characteristic ruby and emerald-encrusted sword belt around his shoulder, the handle of his tulwar showing in the foreground, the shape of his turban and the facial features with the lack of beard and the distinctive thin curved moustache in line with typical portraits of this ruler, two lines of black ink Persian naskh script to the left reading Shah Tipu Sikandar-i Sani, Ruler of the World and Sky (?), mounted within later concentric decorative borders, the first painted in orange and speckled in gold, the latter designed as a 20th-century album page border with continuous interlocking vegetal scrolls with red and blue flowers, mounted, glazed and framed, 42.5cm x 31.5cm excluding the frame.

Even though Tipu Sultan was a very prominent ruler, his portraits are not as common as one may think. Most of them depict the ruler in profile, always drawing emphasis on his protruding rounded nose, thin moustache, beardless face, and the lines around his chin and neck, possibly hinting at his wealthy status. His attire varies slightly in colour but tends to frequently feature his voluminous turban enhanced by a large turban ornament held in place by a strand of pearls, his gem-encrusted belt sword, and his pearl necklace. The methodical repetition of these attributes suggests that most of the portraits produced in India are likely to have drawn inspiration from one main source or portrait, which must have been circulating widely during and after the ruler's reign. For an interesting comparison, please see the ruler's profile portrait in the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection (attributed to Mysore, South India, 1790, IS.266-1952) and further examples sold at auctions, Sotheby's London, Exotica Sale, 25 May 2005, lots 69 and 70; 9 October 2013, lot 246; and Christie's London, 11 October 2013, lot 574.

Sold for £3,500

Includes Buyer's Premium


 

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