Arts of the Islamic World & India

A painted ivory and bone-inlaid wooden musical instrument (tambura), India, Gwalior or Deccan, 19th century

Standard VAT applies to hammer price and buyer's premiumRestricted Species

Estimate

4,000 - 6,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

jackfruit wood, exterior of drum painted in gouache depicting Krishna dancing with Radha and the gopis (rasamandala), the underside painted with a seated figure of Ganesh flanked by peacocks, a fluting Krishna, Radha, and two holy cows below, long handle with floral motifs, set with ivory and bone designs throughout

93cm.

This lot contains elephant ivory, which is an endangered species. Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid, as lots containing endangered species may be subject to import restrictions in certain countries or necessitate licenses and certificates for export from some and import into others. The possession of an export license or certificate does not guarantee obtaining its counterpart elsewhere. Buyers must ascertain and adhere to all applicable regulatory requirements regarding the import and export of such items before bidding, securing all necessary licenses and certificates at their expense. The inability to export or import these items, or their seizure by a government agency, does not justify delaying payment or cancelling a sale.

Ex-collection Richard Burnett, eminent collector of musical instruments.

The underside of the tambura has a depiction of the elephant-headed Hindu deity Ganesha, the god of auspicious beginnings. Musicians and dancers in India often begin their performances with a prayer dedicated to Ganesha. The exterior depicts the rasa mandala, with Krishna dancing the rasa lila (the dance of divine love) with Radha in the centre, as well as dancing with every gopi surrounding the couple by multiplying himself several times.

A similar tambura, was sold in Christie’s London, The Oliver Hoare Collection, 25 October 2019, lot 4. An example with similar decoration, attributed to the nineteenth century and probably made in Gwalior, is in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (acc. no.IM.238-1922; R. Skelton et al., The Indian Heritage: Court life and Arts under Mughal rule, London, 1982, cat. no.565, p.165). Three further comparable tambura instruments, variously attributed to Central and South India, are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. nos.89.4.189; 46.34.64; 1994.498).

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