Description:

Lot 149. INDO-CHINESE SCHOOL, ATTRIBUTED TO THE BEGUM’S BOOKS OF BIRDS, WATERCOLOUR ON PAPER

A finely rendered study of a parrot perched upon a gnarled branch, executed in delicate watercolour with exceptional precision and a refined sense of natural observation. The bird’s plumage is defined by rich hues of emerald green, crimson, and turquoise blue, contrasting vividly against the neutral parchment background. The artist’s sensitivity to shading and anatomical detail reflects a deep understanding of naturalistic depiction characteristic of 19th-century Indo-Chinese ornithological art.

Works of this type are traditionally associated with the celebrated Begum’s Books of Birds, a series of natural history illustrations commissioned by Mughal and later colonial patrons in the late 18th to early 19th century, blending Indian miniature conventions with European naturalism. Such depictions were intended both as artistic expressions and scientific documentation of local avifauna.

The present work, housed in a giltwood frame with black mount, preserves its original paper support showing minor age toning and some historic repair along the upper edge.

Length x Width: 44 x 36.5cm

Folio: 30 x 24cm


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November 4, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

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