AN AFRICAN COURTIER RESTING UNDER A TREE
Deccan, Central India, 18th century

Opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, the vertical composition depicting a white-clad African courtier having a rest under a tree enhanced with white blossoms, holding a few envelopes in one hand and a golden staff on the other, perhaps an emissary of one of the rulers of the Deccan Sultanates, pairs of gazelles, deer and rabbits made curious by his presence and pictured approaching the figure with caution, in the background two different cities located on the opposite sides, one fortified, the latter surrounded by lollipop trees, and many lush verdant hills in the middle, the scene pasted onto a later paper border decorated with concentric frames in silver and white flowers on cobalt blue ground, the recto plain, 25.5cm x 18.5cm.

Provenance: previously part of the Dexter Collection, successfully sold in these Rooms, 16 July 2021, lot 360.