Not currently on display at the V&A

A Muharram scene

Painting
ca. 1807 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The pictures made by Indian artists for the British in India are called Company paintings. This one depicts part of the Muharram ceremonies, which Muslims carry out in memory of Hasan and Hosein, grandsons of the Prophet Muhammed. Shiah Muslims regard them as his successors in the caliphate. The bamboo and paper models being carried aloft represent the tombs of Hasan and Hosein. Gilbert Eliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto, once owned this picture. He was Governor-General of Fort William from 1807 to 1813.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleA Muharram scene (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour on paper
Brief description
A Muharram scene: procession with tazias; sword-play in centre foreground
Physical description
A Muharram scene: procession with tazias (models of the two martyrs' tombs) and sword play in centre foreground.
Dimensions
  • Height: 43.5cm
  • Width: 56.5cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Mohurrum is a mournful Ceremony held by the Mussulmans in commemoration of the Death of Hassan and Hossein, the Grandsons of Mohammed. This drawing represents the first Procession with the Tombs. Sheiwak Ram, delt. [delineavit] 1807. (Inscription; decoration; English and Latin; Roman; reverse; ink; 1807)
Object history
This drawing belonged to the first Earl of Minto, Governor-General of Fort William, 1807-13.
Summary
The pictures made by Indian artists for the British in India are called Company paintings. This one depicts part of the Muharram ceremonies, which Muslims carry out in memory of Hasan and Hosein, grandsons of the Prophet Muhammed. Shiah Muslims regard them as his successors in the caliphate. The bamboo and paper models being carried aloft represent the tombs of Hasan and Hosein. Gilbert Eliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto, once owned this picture. He was Governor-General of Fort William from 1807 to 1813.
Bibliographic reference
Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992, 85/86 p. ISBN 0944142303
Collection
Accession number
IS.74-1954

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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