Description: A POLYCHROME MINIATURE PAINTING ON IVORY
India, 18th century
12,5 x 9,5 cm
Painted in rich and meticulous polychromy with widespread touches of gold, describing a scene setting in a landscape with a young man assisting a girl lying on the ground near a pond in which birds swim, behind the two figures a harnessed camel, the scene within a frame of floral gold arabesques on a black ground, wooden frame and protective glass.
Provenance: Italian private collection.
The scene depicted in this very high quality miniature probably refers to the story of Dhola and Maru. Originated in Rajasthan, it tells the story of the contrasted love between two young princes forced to face many dangers to live together: in one occasion they were able to escape from their detractors on the back of a camel with magical powers.