Drawing, calligraphy in the form of a hawk, in ink on paper, Lahore, late 19th century

Drawing, in black ink on paper, ornamental calligraphy in the form of a hawk standing on a leafy branch, the bird formed from the words of the basmala.

Ornamental calligraphy in the form of a hawk, standing on a leafy branch, the bird embodies the Bismillah.

Given by Col J. Holbein Hendley, C.I.E.

See letter of Hendley to Caspar Purdon Clarke, December 31 1915 on NFMA/1/H1596, Hendley Family, where he notes that these were from 'the bazaar' and are the originals of those published by him and Chaubey Bisvesvar Nath of Jaipur in the Journal of Indian Art. Several of the calligraphic birds and animals reproduced in the Journal are signed and give their place of origin as Lahore, or the Lahore bazaar.

Owned by Thomas Holbein Hendley, who was a British medical officer in the Indian Medical Service from 1869 until 1903. He was also an authority figure on Indian art and helped find the Quarterly Journal of Indian Art in 1886. When the Residency Surgeon of Jaipur, he helped establish the Jaipur Museum in 1881. In 1883, he organised the Jeypore Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts whose collection along with that of the museum was moved to the building now known as the Albert Hall Museum.

Given by Col J. Holbein Hendley, C.I.E., 4 Loudoun Road, St. John's Wood, N.W. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 1916/12M

IM.16-1916