Asavari Ragini from a Ragamala (garland of melodies)

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 1
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    1591
  • Geography

    Chunar, Uttar Pradesh state, India
  • Material

    Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 20.5 x 11 cm (8 1/16 x 4 5/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1985.3
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1985.3

Object Details

  • Patron

    Rao Raja Bhoj Singh (reign 1585-1607)
  • Artist

    Shaykh Husain
    Shaykh Ali
    Shaykh Hatim
  • Court

    Bundi Court
  • School/Tradition

    Rajput school
  • Provenance

    1591-?
    Rao Raja Bhaj Singh (reign 1585-1607), commissioned from the artists Shaikh Hasan, Shaikh Ali, and Shaikh Hatim in India [1]
    ? - at least between 1967-1968
    Ownership information unknown
    At least between 1967 -1968 - ?
    Sital Das, method of acquisition unknown [2]
    ?-1984
    Ownership information unknown
    1984
    Sale, London, England, Christie's, sale #3022, "Islamic, Indian, South-east Asian Manuscripts, Miniatures, and Works of Art," November 22-23, 1984, lot 181 [3]
    1984-1985
    Michael Goedhuis, Ltd. (established 1980), London, England, purchased at November 22-23, 1984, Christie's Sale, London, England on behalf of the Freer Gallery of Art [4]
    From 1985
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Michael Goedhuis, Ltd. [5]
    Notes:
    [1] See Christie's, "Islamic, Indian, South-east Asian Manuscripts, Miniatures, and Works of Art" [auction catalogue], (London: Christie's, November 22-23, 1984), lot 181, illustrated (recto and verso).
    [2] See unaddressed letter from Milo Beach, dated February 18, 1986, copy in object file. Beach states, “I saw the pages [F1985.2 and F1985.3] in India in 1967-68, when the owner allowed me to photograph the works. Returning to India in 1971 and attempting to see them again, I was told that they were no longer available and my distinct impression was that they had left India. I do not know of anyone who saw the paintings anywhere after my 1967-68 visit.”
    See also Kanta Talukdar’s newspaper article from “The Telegraph” (London: March 16, 1986), copy in object file. Kanta Talukdar reported that the owner was Sital Das.
    Sital Das is a jeweler and collector in Delhi, India.
    [3] See note 1.
    [4] See object file for copy of Michael Goedhuis, Ltd. invoice to Freer Gallery of Art, undated (ca. December 1984), and marked approved on December 12, 1984.
    Michael Goedhuis, Ltd. in London, England was established in 1980. Michael Goedhuis began his professional involvement in the art world in 1975 when he joined Jacob Rothschild’s firm Colnaghi (established 1760), specializing in Persian, Mughal and Islamic art. After establishing his own firm, Goedhuis expanded his dealing activities to include Indian, Japanese, and Chinese art. In 1981, Goedhuis purchase the name “Colnaghi Oriental” from Rothchild and utilized the name in advertisements for his firm.
    [5] See note 4.
    Research updated September 11, 2023
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    The Natural World in Indian Painting (September 4, 1996 to May 17, 1997)
    South and South East Asian Art (May 9, 1993 to February 7, 2000)
    The Arts of South Asia (May 13, 1985 to December 2, 1985)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Sital Das
    Michael Goedhuis, Ltd. (established 1980)
  • Origin

    Chunar, Uttar Pradesh state, India
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Painting
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

    The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring