South Asia, India, Mughal Empire, ca. 19th century CE. A reverse glass painting depicting a young lady standing with her hands clasped together amidst lush, verdant gardens beneath an azure sky. She wears an elegant silk dress with a beaded collar, buttons down the front, and a royal blue sash. She looks out at the viewer with almond-shaped eyes framed by arched brows, an aquiline nose, heart-shaped pink lips, and blushing cheeks that contrast with her alabaster complexion, all framed by a long black, centrally parted coiffure, with a red-beaded royal blue hat/diadem completing her outfit. Finely reverse-painted on glass and mounted in a custom gold-tone wood frame with coordinating golden moldings and a silky fabric covered matte. Size: 19.5" L x 13.5" W (49.5 cm x 34.3 cm); 28" L x 22" W (71.1 cm x 55.9 cm) in frame

Reverse glass painting was popular in India among the royal courts from the late 18th to mid 19th century. This artform arrived in India via global trade established by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and English during the 16th and 17th centuries. Among the coveted imported items were Chinese reverse glass paintings which came to India in the late 18th century. Soon thereafter Indian artists learned the techniques of reverse glass painting. Royalty in India collected reverse glass paintings, and as land owning merchants grew more prosperous in the 19th century, they collected reverse glass paintings as well. Interestingly, the artists who created these paintings were chitrakara (craftspeople) who generally belonged to marginalized castes.

The technique required immense skill. Artists began by placing a transparent sheet of glass over a drawing, then drew the outlines and details. Next, metallic foils and sequins were sometimes added. Then, tempera paint was used to apply larger swaths of color, and shading was implemented. Artists needed to employ their memory as they created each piece, because they covered various elements of the painting sequentially. So artists needed to possess remarkable skills to create these precious works.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#123622

The painting is mounted under glass in a custom gold tone wood frame with coordinating golden moldings and a silky fabric covered matte. Artwork has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in very nice condition save normal age wear and a few areas of discoloration. Frame has a few scuffs and stains to the finish but is otherwise very nice and fit with suspension wire.