Poppies and Parakeets Panel

Public Domain

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Images(2)

Artist Unknown

CultureIndian

Titles

Poppies and Parakeets Panel

Datelate 17th–early 18th century

MediumSandstone; carved

Dimensions60 × 28 × 3 in. (152.4 × 71.1 × 7.6 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Rania and Jamal Daniel at the 2015 Art of the Islamic Worlds Gala

Object number2015.67

Current Location

The Caroline Wiess Law Building

113 Islamic Art Gallery

On view

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Department

Art of the Islamic Worlds

Object Type

SCULPTURE

DescriptionThe large poppies in this carved sandstone panel are probably one of the flamboyant Papaver orientale species. The motif of a flower set against a plain background is quintessentially Mughal and is found in many media, including paintings, album borders, textiles, carpets, and stone. The feasting birds are likely green Indian ringneck parakeets. The Mughal emperors of India (1526–1858) were profoundly interested in the natural world; this is especially true of Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–27), whose autobiography, the Jahangirnama, includes vivid descriptions of flora and fauna.
ProvenancePrivate collection, England, 1987; [Sotheby's, London, October 12 2000, Sale L00502, Lot 194]; [Simon Ray Limited, London]; purchased by MFAH, 2015.
Published References George Michell and Amit Pasricha, Mughal Architecture & Gardens, London, 2011, p. 111. Ebba Koch, The Complete Taj Mahal, New York, 2006. Susan Stronge, Made for Mughal Emperors: Royal Treasures from Hindustan, London, 2010. Stuart Cary Welch, India: Art and Culture, 1300-1900. New York, 1985. Robert Skelton et al, The Indian Heritage: Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule, London, 1982.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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