DrawingsIndian19th century

Palanquin or Sedan Chair

19th century

Description

Filling the length of the paper is a large palanquin or sedan chair, which faces left. It has a green accordion hood that has been folded back. The top of the hood is bordered with yellow, perhaps suggesting gold material. The seat and the interior is painted burgundy. The chair have large gray and yellow tigers, the colors perhaps suggesting silver and gold respectively. They are seated with their front legs outstretched and sloping downward to the foot of the chair. The front paws touch the face of a large fish. The fish, which is on both sides, comprises the side panels of the front portion of the chair. The fish are large, yellow and gray, with their tails curving upward to the top. The base of the chair has four feet. There are two poles, on in the front and the other in the back. The back pole terminates into the head of a tiger or leopard. The terminus of the front pole is missing due to loss. Rajput Style, Kota School.

Classification

Drawings

Medium

Ink and opaque watercolor on paper; Rajput Style, Kota School

Culture

Indian

Century

19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

14.5 x 30.7 cm (5 11/16 x 12 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.