Antique Miniature Indian Mughal Reverse Painting On Glass, Rajasthan 1800's

The actual oval gouache/ watercolor reverse painting measures 2.25" high by 1 7/8" wide. It is expertly hand painted with such fine detail. This is most definitely NOT an engraved print with painted accents, as you would find on 19th century tourist wares from France or to commemorate Great Exhibitions etc. Just look at their surcoats, their sash and the design on their pure white robes. We love the rows of pearls or beads. The tiny little feathers too in their turbans. One emir has his hand on his sabre. he is obviously the more important of the two characters and this powerful pose is definitely a show of strength and dominance. The colors are so vivid and jewel like, emerald green and ruby red. These colors are then perfectly complimented by the deep gilded background. We expect that this is real gold leaf. This is such an authentic little treasure. The rippled glass that the portraits are painted on and the original oval frame with pretty wooden beadwork decoration. The backing paper looks original too. This is an accomplished miniature and has far more skill than the later paintings on glass which sadly had a less skilled, more slap dash approach to brush strokes and detail. We can find no signature on this piece but of course we have not accessed the reverse of the painting.

The oval frame measures 4.75" by 4.25". Condition is very good. There are two or three small areas of missing gold flake on the gold ground. very minuscule. There is a 1 cm fine hairline in the gouache paint, just in between the two gentlemen on the dark blue wall space. This cannot be picked up on our photographs, it is SO fine and was only found with our loupe. Some rubbing to the gilt on the gilded oval frame, we actually think that it enhances the piece!The first 8 photographs are taken in natural daylight, the last image is taken under studio lighting.

A wonderful, wonderful miniature artwork that we are truly loathed to part with. Such skill, such beauty and such decadence rolled into one tiny package. As we said in our title "Exceptional".

Item ID: TA071170