A COURTLY COUPLE ON A TERRACE
Possibly Punjab or North-Western India, late 19th century

Opaque pigments and gold on paper, the vertical composition depicting a courtly couple drinking on a terrace, the male character, possibly a prince or a ruler, wearing a multi-folded, gold-lined turban and several strings of pearls, encrusted bazuband and necklaces, the female character, possibly a courtier, leaning backward refusing to drink from the wine cup offered to her, both sitting on a raised gilt and encrusted throne covered with a floral summer spread, set within dark blue borders enhanced with golden leafy trellis, mounted, glazed and framed, 32.5cm x 27cm including the frame.

Provenance: Acquired by the mother in law of the present vendor at the time when she and her husband were stationed in India (c. 1920 - 1947);
From 1979 onwards, by descent, in the family private collection in the UK.