
Dora Tan
Head of Sale, Specialist
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Sold for US$12,750 inc. premium
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Head of Sale, Specialist

International Director
The two benevolent deities face each other underneath golden and bejeweled parasols. Ganesha, holds his typical attributes: the elephant goad, axe, rosary, and tray of laddu, while Sarasvati faces him with her hands joined together in respect, holding a lotus and a stringed vina in the crook of her elbow. Ganesha and Sarasvati's respective vehicles, a rat and a goose, rest beside them on a striped rug. The two deities are frequently depicted together on the first page of a series or manuscript.
This painting was most likely produced in the second half of Raja Shamsher Sen of Mandi's reign (1727-81), which often presents a softer style than earlier works. The facial features closely resemble two paintings dated 1770-80 by Archer that have close relations to Mandi and Guler (Archer, Indian Painting from the Punjab Hills, 1973, Mandi 33 & 34). Eccentric striped rugs like this one seem especially popular in paintings of this period (ibid., Mandi 30, 32 & 36-8).
Provenance:
Mandi Royal Collection
Private European Collection acquired 1969
Rob Dean Art, London, November 2013