20th May, 2026 11:00
Live Sale: Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art 2026
48
TWO LADIES ON HORSES, CHAMBA, 18TH CENTURY
opaque colours and gold on paper, one holding a wine flask in one hand and passing a cup to the other, both of their head with a nimbus, a fan bearing female attendant behind, image 22 x 18cm., framed and glazed
Provenance: Collection of Robert Skelton, O.B.E. (1929-2022).
According to his notes, this was the first painting bought by Robert. He paid 7s/6d. Stylistically, it conforms to other paintings produced in Chamba in this period with the style evolving from the start of the century. The characteristic elements of this can be seen in images such as a paiting of Kali, dating from around 1710, in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection (IS.126-1951). Another painting in that collection, 'A coy lady is brought to her lover', (IS.147-1949), sees this style beginniing to dissipate as the century progresses. However, the facial type persists in the embroidered textiles, rumal, that Chamba comes to be renowned for from the end of the eighteenth century.
Sold for £3,500
opaque colours and gold on paper, one holding a wine flask in one hand and passing a cup to the other, both of their head with a nimbus, a fan bearing female attendant behind, image 22 x 18cm., framed and glazed
Provenance: Collection of Robert Skelton, O.B.E. (1929-2022).
According to his notes, this was the first painting bought by Robert. He paid 7s/6d. Stylistically, it conforms to other paintings produced in Chamba in this period with the style evolving from the start of the century. The characteristic elements of this can be seen in images such as a paiting of Kali, dating from around 1710, in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection (IS.126-1951). Another painting in that collection, 'A coy lady is brought to her lover', (IS.147-1949), sees this style beginniing to dissipate as the century progresses. However, the facial type persists in the embroidered textiles, rumal, that Chamba comes to be renowned for from the end of the eighteenth century.
Auction: Live Sale: Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art 2026, 20th May, 2026
The sale includes the collection of Robert Skelton OBE, curator of Indian Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It comprises some exquisite 18th and 19th century Indian paintings and drawings as well as a fine group of modern Indian paintings with works by Shiavax Chavda (1914 - 1990), Francis Newton Souza (1924 - 2002), K Laxma Goud (B. 1940) and Jayashree Chakravarty (B. 1956). Tiles, Indian bronzes, thewa boxes, a silver gilt ewer, a ‘Koftgari’ pen box and a Mughal carved black jade dagger are also among the lots in this collection.
Also in the same sale is 10th -12th century Persian pottery, a monumental pair of 19th century doors, Persian and Syrian ceramics including tiles, also Iznic tiles from Ottoman Anatolia. Other lots include Indian bronze figures, small furniture, textiles and rugs.
Auction Location: London, UK
Monday 18th May: 10am to 5:30pm
Tuesday 19th May: 10am to 5pm
Viewing
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 17th May: 12pm to 4pm
Monday 18th May: 10am to 5:30pm
Tuesday 19th May: 10am to 5pm
CONTACT
indianandislamic@olympiaauctions.com + 44 (0)20 7806 5545
