Enthroned Goddess with Attendants

Object Details

• Artist

  Becharam Das Dutta

• Provenance

  1856-?

  Becharam Das Dutta, the artist, in Kolkata, India [1]

  ?-?

  Ownership information unknown

  ?-1872

  Sir Thomas Phillipps, 1st Baronet (1792-1872), method of acquisition unknown probably in England [2]

  1872-1946

  Katharine Somerset Wyttenbach Phillipps Fenwick (1823-1913), by inheritance; Thomas FitzRoy Phillipps Fenwick (1856-1938), by inheritance; Alan George Fenwick (b. 1890), by inheritance [3]

  1946-1974

  Lionel Keir Robinson (1897-1983) and Philip Ramsay Robinson (1902-1991), purchased from Alan George Fenwick in London, England [4]

  1974

  Sale, London, England, Sotheby's, “Bibliotheca Phillippica Medieval and Oriental Manuscripts: New Series: Ninth Part,” lot 780 [5]

  1974-?

  R. E. Lewis, Inc. (active 1952-1999), San Francisco, CA, purchased at November 27, 1974, Sotheby’s Sale, London, England [6]

  ?-?

  Ownership information unknown

  ?-1993

  Dr. Kenneth X. and Joyce Robbins, method of acquisition unknown [7]

  From 1993

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Kenneth X. and Joyce Robbins [8]

  Notes:

  [1] This object was made by the artist, Becharam Das Dutta in India.

  [2] This object was a part of the library collection of Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872), where it was a part of an album containing seventy-five “Kalighat Pictures.” See Sotheby’s, “Bibliotheca Phillippica Medieval and Oriental Manuscripts: New Series: Ninth Part[,] Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts, Indian and Persian Miniatures” [auction catalogue] with the further title, “[F]rom the celebrated collection formed by Sir Thomas Phillipps Bt. [Baronet] (1792-1872)[,] The Property of the Trustees of the Robinson Trust,” (London: Sotheby’s, November 27, 1974), p. 106, lot 780. The lot 780 is described as, “Kalighat Pictures. A series of fifty-seven hand-coloured woodcuts [sic, lithographs] on Indian paper of deities, animals, native characters, and mythological scenes, in an album, MS. 19206 (414 X 273 mm.) (Kalighat, mid-19th century).”

  Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872) collected books and manuscripts, ultimately amassing one of the largest private library collections in Europe. The collection originally occupied the majority rooms at Middle Hill, Phillipps’ home and seat in Worcestershire, England, but he later moved it to Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham, England. Phillipps bequeathed his collection and Thirlestaine House to his third daughter, Katharine Somerset Wyttenbach Phillipps Fenwick (1823-1913), and subsequent male heirs, including Katherine’s son Thomas FitzRoy Phillipps Fenwick (1856-1938). The bequest included the restriction that the collection could not be moved. A court judgement in 1885 lifted this restriction, which enabled the sale and dispersal of the collection. In 1946, Alan George Fenwick (b. 1890), the nephew of Thomas FitzRoy, sold the remnants of the collection to the bookseller brothers, Lionel Keir Robinson (1897-1983) and Philip Ramsay Robinson (1902-1991) of London. Between 1965 and 1976, the Robinsons subsequently sold the collection at Sotheby’s in London in an eleven-part sale entitled, “Bibliotheca Phillippica.” See Alan Noel Latimer Munby, “Phillipps Studies” [series], no. 1-5, (Cambridge: University Press, 1951-1960).

  [3] See note 2.

  [4] See note 2.

  [5] See note 2.

  [6] R. E. Lewis , Inc., purchased lot 780.

  R. E. Lewis, Inc. (active 1952-1999) specialized in the sale of European prints from the 15th to the 20th century, Japanese woodblock prints, and Indian miniature paintings. Founded by Raymond E. Lewis (1923-2005), the firm was first located at 555 Sutter Street in San Francisco, CA and later in San Rafael, CA. Mr. Lewis acquired objects in the United States and in Europe; his clients included private collectors and institutions, such as the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. After Lewis’ death, the firm dissolved and works from their stock may now be found at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and The British Museum, among others. Mr. Lewis’ daughter, Jan Lewis Slavid, established the successor gallery R. E. Lewis & Daughter in 2000 in San Rafael, CA. The firm reincorporated in Beaverton, OR in 2021.

  [7] See “Custody Receipt,” dated November 20, 1992, copy in object file. The object was transferred from Dr. Kenneth X. and Joyce Robbins to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for acquisition consideration on November 20, 1992. An annotation by Kenneth X. Robbins on the “Custody Receipt” states that the object is “said to have been part of a Phillips [sic, Phillipps] MSC.”

  Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins, psychiatrist, M.D., and Joyce Robbins of Potomac, Maryland are collectors of South Asian art and objects related to the history of Africans in the greater Indian Ocean world and the Jewish diaspora in India and beyond. Dr. Robbins has also authored several books, articles, and lectures. Works from their collection may also be found at The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, DC and the Brooklyn Museum, NY.

  [8] See Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approved on December 29, 1992, copy in object file. See also the signed “Deed of Gift to the Arthur M. Sacker Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution,” copy in object file.

  Research updated February 24, 2024

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Previous custodian or owner

  Sir Thomas Phillipps, 1st Baronet (1792-1872)

  Katharine Somerset Wyttenbach Phillipps Fenwick (1823-1913)

  Thomas FitzRoy Phillipps Fenwick (1856-1938)

  Alan George Fenwick (b. 1890)

  Lionel Keir Robinson (1897-1983)

  Philip Ramsay Robinson (1902-1991)

  R. E. Lewis, Inc. (active 1952-1999)

  Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins

  Joyce Robbins

• Origin

  Calcutta, West Bengal, India

• Credit Line

  Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth X. Robbins

• Type

  Print

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1850s

• Name

  Fenwick, Katharine Somerset Wyttenbach Phillipps, Fenwick, Alan George, Robinson, Lionel Keir, Robinson, Philip Ramsay, Robbins, Kenneth X., Phillipps, Thomas, Robbins, Joyce, Fenwick, Thomas FitzRoy Phillipps, R. E. Lewis, Inc.

• Place

  Calcutta, West Bengal, India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Attendant, Parasol, Throne, Devi (Hindu deity)

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Prints