PaintingsIndian17th century

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan receives a sparrowhawk from Raja Prithvi Singh of Chamba

c. 1650

Description

In this painting, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (r.1627-1658) receives a sparrowhawk from ruler Raja Prithvi Singh of Chamba (1641-64), located in Himachal Pradesh. Shah Jahan’s imperial status is signified by the faintly-drawn halo with emanating gold rays. Raja Prithvi Singh wears a brown falconer’s glove on his right hand on which the sparrow hawk is perched. The bird of prey bears a halsband around its neck and red jesses around its feet. Raja Prithvi Singh holds up a red falcon hood in his left hand.

Classification

Paintings

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

17th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

19 x 18 cm (7 1/2 x 7 1/16 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1973 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1973.