Lot 73

AN ILLUSTRATION FROM A NAYIKA SERIES: WAITING FOR HER LOVER ‡
INDIA, PUNJAB HILLS, KANGRA, CIRCA 1820









Auction: 10 December 2025 from 14:00 GMT
Description
gouache on paper heightened in gold, oval image within a white margin line, polychrome gold decorated border, within a rectangular gold decorated navy blue border, outer pink border, depicting the heroine reclining on her bed wearing jewellery and a light purple robe, the night darkness beyond, mounted, framed and glazed
Dimensions
23.2cm x 31.5cm
Provenance
Acquired, Sotheby’s, South Asian Art, 21 March 2012, lot 215.
The collection of a German enthusiast.
Footnote
This exquisite and highly detailed painting is charged with emotions. A lit candle above her bed reflects the night scene in addition to the black background. The soft palette of her dress is inviting and beautifully contrasts with the stronger colours of the flooring.
For another example of a lone lady, see W.G. Archer, Indian paintings from the Punjab Foothills, Oxford University Press, 1973, Vol 2, p. 230, Vol 1, p. 60.








