Krishna Embracing Radha beneath a Flowering Tree, North India c. 1880?1890, on Reused Manuscript Leaf (Devanagari reverse)

Anonymous

Published by [Anonymous workshop, North India or Deccan], Provincial Mughal or Rajasthani, North India (likely Rajasthan/Oudh/Benares), 1890

About this Item

Artistic Context & Overview A luminous late 19th-century Indian miniature painting of Krishna embracing Radha beneath a flowering tree by a forest stream, both shown seated, Radha in pink, Krishna blue-skinned and crowned. Gold floral borders; painting is mounted on a repurposed manuscript. Visual/Technical Description Opaque watercolor and gold on manuscript paper. Bold floral border; script above and below scene. Finely articulated jewelry, garments, and landscape, characteristic of Provincial Mughal or late Rajasthani work. Material/Manuscript Context Front: Persian/Urdu poetic couplets in Nastaliq script. Reverse: Devanagari script, columns of calculations?likely household or mercantile accounts. No visible date or full name; no literary text. Condition (Summary) Excellent?minor corner wear only, colors vivid, paper support sound. Minimal soiling for age. Provenance / Significance Likely produced for a North Indian collector?s market in the late 1800s; reused leaf format and hybrid script context enhance scholarly value. Translation & Analysis Front (Nastaliq poetic verse, line-by-line): Top border: 1. O beloved, let the moonlight be our witness tonight, 2. In your embrace the garden comes to life, 3. With every breath, my heart is renewed, 4. Each glance is a promise of dawn. Bottom border: 1. On this path of love, let all sorrows fade, 2. The scent of flowers fills the air with hope, 3. Let the wine of longing overflow our hearts, 4. Tonight, let us forget the world. Reverse (Devanagari): Columns of numerals and calculations, with no narrative or signature. No dates or names observed. Conclusion A richly illuminated Krishna?Radha scene, c. 1880?90, on repurposed manuscript. Persian/Urdu poetic borders, Devanagari reverse. Excellent collector/scholarly value. Est. $1,250.

Seller Inventory # IPM_2025-10-10-221

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Krishna Embracing Radha beneath a Flowering Tree, North India c. 1880?1890, on Reused Manuscript Leaf (Devanagari reverse)
• Publisher: [Anonymous workshop, North India or Deccan], Provincial Mughal or Rajasthani, North India (likely Rajasthan/Oudh/Benares)
• Publication Date: 1890
• Language: Persian
• Binding: No Binding
• Illustrator: Unique handmade miniature painting on a repurposed manuscript folio
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Dimensions: 18W x 26H x 0D centimeters 18 centimeters width by 26 centimeters height by 0 centimeters depth
• Weight: 1 ounce