Important Notice

Company School (Tanjore Idiom)
Mid 19th Century
Watercolour on paper
7.5 x 11.5 in (19 x 29 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Doris Wiener Gallery, New York, 1980s or earlier
Christie's, New York, 20 March 2012, lot 339
Simon Ray, London, December 2013


This Tanjore‒style painting depicts a temple procession of Vishnu on a vyala (mythological hybrid leonine animal) or Subramanya Swami (Kartikeya or Murugan). The four‒armed deity, bearing various attributes, is astride a stylised grey or silver vyala, adorned with a garland and large golden crown. The idol and its vehicle are placed on a wooden stand functioning as a palanquin, carried by eight dhoti‒clad attendants. A priest or attendant walks alongside, fanning the deity with a flywhisk.

The procession is led by two caparisoned elephants, guided by mahouts and priests carrying red and green flags; the red flag bears an image of Hanuman. Behind them, two figures hold a cloth banner gateway, accompanied by musicians playing drums, trumpets, and cymbals. A devadasi or courtesan in an orange sari performs before the idol, while two men carry mashaals (lit torches) and others hold parasols and ceremonial objects. Most participants wear dhotis, with a shikha (tuft of hair) and white tilak (ceremonial mark) on the forehead, chest, and arms. Dark shading defines the figures’ contours and their shadows lend realism. Brushstrokes of darker tones suggest depth, while grey and white clouds punctuate the light blue sky.

Company School (Tanjore Idiom)
Mid 19th Century
Watercolour on paper
7.5 x 11.5 in (19 x 29 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY

PROVENANCE
Doris Wiener Gallery, New York, 1980s or earlier
Christie's, New York, 20 March 2012, lot 339
Simon Ray, London, December 2013


This Tanjore‒style painting depicts a temple procession of Vishnu on a vyala (mythological hybrid leonine animal) or Subramanya Swami (Kartikeya or Murugan). The four‒armed deity, bearing various attributes, is astride a stylised grey or silver vyala, adorned with a garland and large golden crown. The idol and its vehicle are placed on a wooden stand functioning as a palanquin, carried by eight dhoti‒clad attendants. A priest or attendant walks alongside, fanning the deity with a flywhisk.

The procession is led by two caparisoned elephants, guided by mahouts and priests carrying red and green flags; the red flag bears an image of Hanuman. Behind them, two figures hold a cloth banner gateway, accompanied by musicians playing drums, trumpets, and cymbals. A devadasi or courtesan in an orange sari performs before the idol, while two men carry mashaals (lit torches) and others hold parasols and ceremonial objects. Most participants wear dhotis, with a shikha (tuft of hair) and white tilak (ceremonial mark) on the forehead, chest, and arms. Dark shading defines the figures’ contours and their shadows lend realism. Brushstrokes of darker tones suggest depth, while grey and white clouds punctuate the light blue sky.