A LOOSE ILLUSTRATION FROM A RAGAMALA SERIES: A FOREST-DWELLER CATCHING PEACOCKS
Bundi, Rajasthan, North-Western India, mid to late 19th century

Opaque pigments heightened in gold on wove paper, the vertical composition depicting a forest-dweller clad in palm leaves and peacock's feathers catching wild peacocks perched on a nearby tree with a long red string, a courtly lady clad in typical Rajasthani choli ghagra outfit standing behind him, the sky filled with stormy clouds suggesting monsonic rain is approaching, the composition set within black and white rules, and ochre yellow, white floral on blue, and bright red borders, the back with an inscription in black ink Devanagari script reading Raga Gondh ... Megha Kae, 30.5cm x 21.7cm.