Late 20th Century, Celebrations for the Birth of Humayun, Mughal-Style Indian Miniature in Navy and Gold, Gouache on Cloth, After Sur Gujarati

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This large hand-painted Indian miniature is a finely executed adaptation of a celebrated Mughal imperial manuscript painting, Celebrations in Honour … Read more This large hand-painted Indian miniature is a finely executed adaptation of a celebrated Mughal imperial manuscript painting, Celebrations in Honour of the Birth of Humayun in the Chahar Bagh of Kabul. The original is attributed to Sur Gujarati and comes from the illustrated Persian translation of the Baburnama (Memoirs of Babur) made for the emperor Akbar in 1590–1593, now in the British Library. The scene records the festivities Babur held in his garden at Kabul after the birth of his son Humayun in 1508.

Painted in gouache with gold on cloth, the multi-tiered composition shows Babur seated with his companions on a carpeted terrace beneath a floral canvas canopy, attended by servants bearing bowls and covered trays. Below, a sword dancer performs beside a fountain among musicians with lute and frame drums, while porters carry provisions through the lower court. The painting is set within a broad dark navy illuminated border of gold vines and pale blue, white and peach blossoms, in the manner of Mughal album margins. It is unsigned. The sight size, including the painted border, is 13 by 18.5 inches, and the piece is presented under glass in a gilt frame with a navy mat and white fillet.

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