Twelve architectural views of Delhi and Agra North India, Delhi School, circa 1840   Watercolour, ink, and gouache heightened with gold on paper, mounted in an antique album. A topographical series devoted to the principal monuments of Delhi and Agra. Each sheet is numbered and inscribed in Persian or Urdu in ink beneath the image, accompanied by handwritten English titles in pencil on the album page.   (Size of each painting: approx. 9.2 × 13.5 cm; sheets: approx. 12.2 × 16.5 cm) (mounted in an old album; minor occasional yellowing and visible signs of handling)   n°2 Sonah Musjid or Golden Mosque, in the Palace, Delhi n°3 Jamma Musjid or Great Mosque, Delhi n°4 [Sunehri] Masjid in Chandni Chowk or Silver Street, Delhi n°5 Kalan Masjid (Black Mosque), Delhi n°7 Koonsi [Qudsia] Bagh n°8 Tomb attributed to Salim / Jahangir (?), Delhi (Selim Ghur or Ala Fork? Delhi) n°17 Tomb of Sher Shah Suri (?) (Shere Selimis Tomb at Putpurgunga) n°20 Taj Mahal, Agra (Akbarabad) (Taj Mahul, Agra or Akbarabad) n°21 Taj Mahal viewed from the river n°22 Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), Agra (Mostee Musjid or Pearl Mosque, Agra) n°24 Tomb of Akbar, Sikandra (near Agra) (Akbar Shah’s Tomb, Secundra, Lecindra, near Agra) n°25 Monumental gateway near Agra (identification to be confirmed) (Gateway Luttypore Licri, near Agra)   These twelve folios belong to the tradition of architectural topographical albums produced for European and Anglo-Indian clientele in the early nineteenth century. The close comparison with albums in the Victoria and Albert Museum and those commissioned by Sir Thomas Metcalfe suggests that this series originates from a Delhi workshop producing comparable sets for British officers and collectors.   Related works Sixty-drawing album, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, inv. IM.45-1923, with very similar dimensions and inscriptions, Delhi, c. 1836. Sir Thomas Metcalfe album, c. 1840, several folios signed by Mazar Ali Khan, British Library, London, inv. Add.Or.5475. Christie’s, 19 Nov 2002, Lot 39, Sir Thomas Metcalfe album, c. 1840.

Estimate € 2,000 - 3,000

Sold (fees included) € 8,320