
Mark Rasmussen
International Director
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Sold for US$5,625 inc. premium
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International Director
A popular subject in 18th-century Mughal paintings, echoing that of Siddhartha, Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham (d.776-77) gave up the royal Kingdom of Balkh to become a wandering dervish. Here, we see him visited by angels who favor him over a more seasoned dervish, serving him ten bowls of food and the other only one. When the other grumbles in envy, a voice from the sky explains that whereas he was poor to begin with, Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham gave up a lot more for the love of God.
Another example of this scene is published in Topsfield (ed.), In the Realm of Gods and Kings: Arts of India, London, 2004, pp.196-7; also see Christie's, London, 10 October 2013, lot 179.
Provenance:
Private New York Collection
Acquired from The Arcade Gallery Ltd, London, October 1972