A lady being observed by her lover, folio from a Ragamala series

Object Details

• School/Tradition

  Bikaner school

• Description

  Within an intricately pillared terrace, against a verdant backdrop, a lady, seated on an elaborate gold throne, inspects herself in a mirror held by an attendant. A second female attendant caresses the princess’s hennaed feet. Hidden amongst the foliage is a prince who peers at the toilet scene.

• Provenance

  From 1890s

  Hugh Gracey, purchased in India [1]

  ?

  General Sir Douglas Gracey (1894-1964), by descent from his father, Hugh Gracey [2]

  ?

  Anonymous collector

  Acquired from General Sir Douglas Gracey (1894-1964)

  1999

  Sale, London, Phillips Son & Neale Limited, Chinese and Japanese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Jades, Textiles and Fans, November 19, 1999, lot no. 188, “A Mughal Period Miniature”

  From 1999 to 2004

  Sam Fogg, Rare Books and Manuscripts, London, purchased at auction, “Chinese and Japanese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Jades, Textiles and Fans,” Phillips Son & Neale Limited, London, Nov. 19, 199, lot no. 188, “A Mughal Period Miniature” [3]

  From 2004 to 2018

  Catherine Glynn Benkaim, Beverly Hills, California, purchased from Sam Fogg, Rare Books and Manuscripts, London in July 2004

  From 2018

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, partial gift and purchase from Catherine Glynn Benkaim

  Notes:

  [1] Hugh Gracey purchased the painting in India while he was in the Indian Civil Service in the 1890s. See Phillips Son and Neale Limited auction catalogue, November 19, 1999.

  [2] Sir Douglas Gracey was the last British Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan army.

  [3] According to information provided by Sam Fogg, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Previous custodian or owner

  Hugh Gracey

  Sir Douglas Gracey (1894-1964)

  Phillips Son & Neale, Ltd

  Sam Fogg, Ltd. (established 1986)

  Catherine Glynn Benkaim

• Origin

  Bikaner, Rajasthan state, India

• Credit Line

  Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection — funds provided by the Friends of the National Museum of Asian Art

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1710s, 1720s

• Name

  Benkaim, Catherine Glynn, Gracey, Hugh, Fogg, Sam, Gracey, Douglas, Phillips Son & Neale, Ltd

• Place

  Bikaner, Rajasthan state, India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection, Ragamala, Woman, Attendant, Throne

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Paintings