AN INDIAN MINIATURE PAINTING OF AN EPIC BATTLE SCENE, PROBABLY FROM THE RAMAYANA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

AN INDIAN MINIATURE PAINTING OF AN EPIC BATTLE SCENE, PROBABLY FROM THE RAMAYANA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
India, Kangra or Garhwal, c. 1810-1820. Ink, watercolors, and gold on wasli. Finely painted with a dense battle scene depicting Rama probably at the top right and again below, as well as various other deities and human figures engaged in vicious fights with many severed limbs, flying spears, and blood, one man riding an elephant and another a horse-drawn carriage, all wearing elaborate robes and jewelry, brandishing swords and other weapons. To the left and right of this scene are white buildings filled with peaceful figures and deities.
Inscriptions:
To reverse, a lengthy inscription of thirteen lines in black ink.
Provenance:
From the collection of Karl Stirner, and thence by descent. Karl Stirner (1923-2016) was a German-born American sculptor known internationally for his metalwork. His art has been shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Corcoran Gallery, the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, the James A. Michener Art Museum, the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, and the Delaware Art Museum, among other places.
Condition:
Excellent condition with minor wear, little soiling, and few minuscule losses to edges. Matted and framed behind glass.
Dimensions: Image size 37.3 x 23.8 cm, Size incl. frame 50 x 36 cm
Auction result comparison:
Compare a closely related miniature painting from a dispersed Ramayana series, depicting the battle between Rama and Ravana, at Christie's New York Indian and Southeast Asian Art on 19 March 2014, lot 1105, sold for USD 15,000, and another depicting Rama and Sita participating in rituals at Sotheby's New York in Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Works of Art on 20 September 2021, lot 396,
sold for USD 25,200
.