Two portraits of princes, Mughal India, late 18th century - Lot 81

Two portraits of princes, Mughal India, late 18th century Gouaches and gold on paper, mounted as album pages on card stock, each depicting a full-length portrait of a bearded prince with a haloed face. The first, facing right, is dressed in a translucent jama tied at the waist with a gilded braid belt over gray striped pants, into which a horse-headed khanjar is tucked. He wears a gold and red turban with gold-plated sarpush, and holds a talwar in his right hand, resting on his right shoulder, and a small morshal chaser in his left. In the upper margin is a Persian legend in black ink that seems to identify the subject with Emperor Shah Jahân (r. 1628-58), and another inscription appears on the back of the page (Mâlik Iqbâl ad-Dawlah [?]. The second prince is facing left, wearing a flowery white jama, tied at the waist with a floral sash into which a katar is tucked. He wears a white turban with gold-plated sarpush and holds a small floral jewel in his right hand, while his left hand rests on the handle of his talwar. The number 27 is inscribed in the upper left-hand corner of the painting. Framed. Paintings: 18.5 x 9.2 cm; 20.3 x 12.8 cm Pages: 23.7 x 14.5 cm; 23.2 x 15.9 cm Heavy wear, folds, a few wormholes on the first portrait, chipped paint, some repainting and retouching. Expert : Camille CELLIER