DrawingsIndian19th century

A Hunting Prince Steadies and Fires His Matchlock Gun on an Attendant's Shoulder

19th century

Description

On the right is a kneeling prince, distinguished by his earring and ornate turban. He wears yellow trousers, a long, striped robe (jama), and a waist sash (patka). Tucked and hanging from his waist sash is a punch dagger (katar) and long sword (talwar). Hanging around his left shoulder is a bow with a decorative pattern. On his right side proper, he carries a large black shield and a quiver filled with bows. His right hand rests on his bent right knee while it holds the butt of his matchlock gun. In his left hand he holds the cotton match that would be used in the mechanism to discharge the gun. The barrel of the gun rests on the left shoulder of a crouching attendant. The attendant wears a turban, a striped robe, and yellow trousers. Hanging at his waist is a nautilus shell-shaped gun powder flask. The end of the sheath of his punch dagger and the end of the scabbard of his sword can be seen peering from his right side. Tucked into his left side is a quiver filled with arrows. He holds a small stand attached to the front of the matchlock’s barrel to steady the shot. The bright orange line issuing from the mouth of the gun indicates that the gun has been fired. Royal hunters in India often used large matchlock guns that required the support of an attendant or a stand. They were intended to be used over long distances, to safely hunt large game such as tigers, lions, boars, bears, and crocodiles. 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 x 22.7 cm (5 1/2 x 8 15/16 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.