Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15

Unknown
India Naga Tribe Watercolour 19th Century Company School Painting Indian

c1860

About the Item

Untitled - Rongmei Naga Tribe India Watercolour on Paper c 1860 Mounted Unframed: 38 x 45 cm Image size: 24.5 x 31 cm Provenance: Private UK Collection This is a fabulous and rare 19th century watercolour from India in a style that is often referred to as Company School Painting. It is believed that this painting shows a group from the Rongmei community. Also known as Kabui, they are one of the Naga ethnic communities of North-East India. The overall depiction of the figures, the shadows and perspective suggest this painting was made by an Indian artist. The grouping bears similarities to groupings by indigenous artists in the early 19th century such as the portrait by an artist in the circle of Ghulam Ali Khan, now in the collections of the Met in New York (see image in the listing). The Rongmei share similarity with their kindred tribes of Zeme, Liangmai and Inpui, which together are known as Zeliangrong. Some historians and anthropologists have earlier recorded them as Kabui along with Inpui people This is the first painting of this type I have seen. The Naga tribes have always been closed communities and in the 19th century it would have been a travelling artist with connections to the community who would have been given access to make such a work. In excellent condition with no rips or tears. The painting was handled by a Camberwell trained conservator who did the work on this Naga drawing. The paper was quite crinkled, he flattened the paper and glued it onto acid free paper using wheat starch, which is reversible. This was done to stabilise the work. The back of the drawing is not visible but the work can be easily be removed from the board if required.
  • Creation Year:
    c1860
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)Width: 17.72 in (45 cm)Depth: 0.4 in (1 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Restored by a professional paper conservator, certificate available.
  • Gallery Location:
    Norfolk, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1670215319342

More From This Seller

View All
Indian Miniature watercolour on paper Mid 20th c fine detail playful Krishna
Located in Norfolk, GB
Indian miniature showing Krishna, cows and the gopis (girls) Watercolour on paper, c mid 20th century Size Mounted: 33 x 22 cm Image Size: 24.2 x 13.4 cm Signed bottom right with a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

India a Pair of Collectable Prints early 20th C Gods Goddess Epics Ancient
Located in Norfolk, GB
A fabulous pair of early, coloured oleographs, originating from India. Oleographs are chromo lithographs that have been coloured to look like oil paintings. In the case of these two...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Prints

Materials

Color, Lithograph

Surrealist Painting Royal College Art LGBTQ+ Female Artist Rodeo Orange Blue
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences whi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen

Surrealist Painting Royal College Art LGBTQ+ Female Wheel Fortune Red Blue
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Known as the UK’s most prestigious annual open exhibition for drawing; part of the prize is a solo show at Hastings Contemporary, scheduled for 2024. Whilst Isabel always has a tale to tell for each of her images, you may or may not choose to go on the journey with her or you may indeed have a different story, one of your own that jumps off the page at you, that that you decide to follow. Artwork Details: (E), 40x35cm, acrylic ink and acrylic paint on paper, 2011 Artwork Provenance: from the Artist Studio photo credits, Isabel working, black and white shots, James Brown In Isabel's own words: Wheel of Fortune Sometimes life is good and you are at the top, you feel that finally things are working out and that you deserve this success after many struggles. But just as you stride down the street with a spring in your step the wheel turns another click and you find yourself on the down again. Maybe you lost your wallet, made a mistake that cost you alot of money or your partner met someone more interesting. But do not fear, because the wheel of fortune is forever turning and soon you shall be at the top again like a king. Just make sure to enjoy it while you are there. *Please note we are happy to ship this work rolled in an art tube. Whilst the work is on heavy duty art paper and mixed media, the artist is happy that the painting will be fine rolled in a tube. This is a more cost effective and environmentally sound method of shipping. Shipping via this method is free. About Isabel Rock and her work: Taking inspiration from Japanese woodblock prints and Indian miniature painting Rock has developed a unique collage technique that combines bold structures with large-scale woodblock prints and intricate detailing. The subject is a grand mixture of humour, drama, hidden morals, fanciful characters, modern culture, mythical beings and fantastical situations. Rock creates a world that pulls you in and demands your attention. Quality of line is paramount, the drawings are created using a dipping pen and acrylic ink. An essential tool is a squirrel’s hair brush that gives incredible fine lines and was purchased on her travels in India. Born in Hammersmith, London in 1981, Rock knew her destiny was to be an artist. Studying Fine Art Printmaking at The University of Brighton and graduating with First Class Honours in 2004 she went on to do a Masters Degree at The Royal College of Art in London, continuing her studies in printmaking and drawing, graduating in 2008. Her first solo show at Bearspace Gallery in Deptford, London in April 2009 sold out and was the beginning of a career that continues to rise. Rock participated in the first ever India Art Fair represented by Art 1821...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen

Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Artist Blue Pink
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Known as the UK’s most prestigious annual open exhibition for drawing; part of the prize is a solo show at Hastings Contemporary, scheduled for 2024. Whilst Isabel always has a tale to tell for each of her images, you may or may not choose to go on the journey with her or you may indeed have a different story, one of your own that jumps off the page at you, that that you decide to follow. Artwork Details: Porthole to Another Dimension, 168x153cm, woodblock print, acrylic ink, acrylic paint, 2020 * Please note this artwork is on two separate pieces of paper that have been joined together. The join is not obvious when looking at the work. At the time Isabel was desperate to make the piece but did not have a large enough piece of paper in the studio, so she joined two together. Artwork Provenance: from the Artist Studio photo credits, Isabel working, black and white shots, James Brown In Isabels own words: Porthole to Another Dimension The legend said, that down by the river, beneath the purple hills, where the black iris...
Category

2010s Surrealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen, Woodcut

Surrealist Large Painting Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ Female Artist Blue Pink
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams Drawing Award at the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Known as the UK’s most prestigious annual open exhibition for drawing; part of the prize is a solo show at Hastings Contemporary, scheduled for 2024. Whilst Isabel always has a tale to tell for each of her images, you may or may not choose to go on the journey with her or you may indeed have a different story, one of your own that jumps off the page at you, that that you decide to follow. Artwork Details: Blue Banana...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Pen

You May Also Like

The Argument
Located in New York, NY
Signed and inscribed on a label on the verso: No. 1/ The Argument/ W. Cave Thomas/ 203 Camden Rd/ NW Provenance: Christie’s, London, 6 November 1995, lot 88. Private Collection, London. This powerful watercolor is a mature work by the little-known Victorian painter William Cave Thomas...
Category

19th Century Pre-Raphaelite Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Pencil

Red mouth Joanna Flatau Contemporary art watercolor woman portrait blue eyes
By Joanna Flatau
Located in Paris, FR
Watercolor on paper Unique work Hand-signed by the artist Joanna Flatau was born in Varsaw, Poland. She graduated from Varsaw History of Arts University and from the Fine Arts Vars...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

The governor of time Haude Bernabé Contemporary art drawing watercolour paper
By Haude Bernabé
Located in Paris, FR
Watercolour on paper Unique work Hand-signed lower right by the artist
Category

2010s Contemporary Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

My African remix Haude Bernabé Contemporary art drawing work on paper nature
By Haude Bernabé
Located in Paris, FR
Watercolour on paper Unique work Hand-signed by the artist
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Manette Yankel Contmeporary drawing gouache character figurative art grey
By Jacques Yankel
Located in Paris, FR
Gouache on paper Unique work Hand-signed lower right by the artist
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Gouache

ART
By Wes Olmsted
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original watercolor painting by Westley "Wes" Olmsted. This work is currently featured in the exhibition Man of Extremes at Benjaman Gallery in Buffalo, NY. Westley G. Olmsted (1934-2011) was a painter and sculptor. He was born in Buffalo, New York, and was a distant relative Frederick Law Olmsted...
Category

1970s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Recently Viewed

View All