When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
An unusual old Indian hand-painted Ragamala miniature painting, identified by the Devanagari inscription appearing above the composition.
The inscription reads approximately “सरवी रागिनी का विष्णुदेवता” (Saravi Ragini ka Vishnu Devata), identifying the subject as Saravi Ragini and associating the composition with the deity Vishnu.
The central image depicts a crowned, blue-purple skinned deity seated with a female companion upon a large, magnificently rendered green bird, apparently Garuda. The deity holds a white conch-like object, an important attribute associated with Vishnu. Both figures sit upon a stylised purple lotus-form seat.
The bird is particularly attractive, with individually drawn green feathers, scale-like body decoration, a crowned head and an elaborate curling tail. The figures retain strong colours in yellow, orange, purple and deep green, standing out dramatically against the naturally aged paper.
Multiple fine hand-drawn border lines surround the composition, giving it the characteristic appearance of an Indian manuscript or Ragamala painting.
There is also an old handwritten inscription on the reverse, photographed separately.
Details
Subject: Saravi Ragini / Vishnu with female companion on Garuda
Tradition: Indian Ragamala painting
Medium: Hand-painted pigments/colour on paper
Origin: India
Type: Miniature / manuscript-style painting
Inscription: Devanagari inscription on front; additional handwriting on reverse
Original: Hand painted
Framed: No
Orientation: Landscape
Size
From the ruler photographs, the complete sheet is approximately 12½–13 inches wide × about 9½ inches high (approximately 32 × 24 cm).
Because the old paper edges are somewhat irregular, these measurements should be regarded as approximate. Please see the ruler photographs.
Condition
This is an old painting showing age consistent with its appearance. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition, including the paper, margins, edges and surface. The photographs form an important part of the description.
Importantly, the principal painted composition remains bright, colourful and visually striking, with considerable detail still present in the figures, Garuda and lotus seat.
Sold exactly as photographed.
Age / attribution
The paper, pigments, inscriptions and overall appearance suggest genuine age, but I would not advertise a precise century without an in-person specialist examination. It is safer and more defensible on to describe it as an old Indian Ragamala painting rather than claiming, for example, “18th century” solely from photographs.
Type: Painting
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Production Technique: Hand Painted
Style: Indian Miniature / Ragamala
Subject: Vishnu, Garuda, Female Figure, Hindu Deity
Theme: Hindu / Religious / Ragamala
Material: Paper
Culture: Indian
Country/Region of Manufacture: India
Features: Hand Painted, Inscribed
Framing: Unframed
Orientation: Landscape
Signed: No identifiable artist signature
