A fortune-teller thumbnail 1
A fortune-teller thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

A fortune-teller

Painting
ca. 1780 - ca. 1790 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Tanjore (made)

The pictures made by Indian artists for the British in India are called Company paintings. This one comes from a set of six depicting castes and occupations. This was a common subject for such paintings.


Object details

Categories
Religion
Indian Company Paintings
Paintings
SCRAN
India Museum
Object type
Painting
TitleA fortune-teller (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Opaque watercolour on paper
Gouache
Paper
Painted
Brief description
Painting; Gouache, A fortune-teller, Tanjore, ca. 1780 - ca. 1790
Physical description
One of six drawings of castes and occupations; this one of a fortune-teller, with multi-coloured scarves flowing from his shoulders, holding a pellet drum against a blue background..
Dimensions
  • Height: 28.5cm
  • Width: 20cm
Style
Company
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed: 'A Tadwan or Malabar fortune teller'.
Credit line
Presented by P.F. Campbell-Johnston
Object history
Presented to the India Museum by P.F. Campbell-Johnston; transferred from the India Museum, 1879; 1880 Register Entry: [ Room 8. On The Wall.] '0927, 0928. TWO FRAMES, glazed, each containing six coloured illustrations of costumes &c. Presented by P. F. Campbell-Johnston, Esq.' (No slip numbers given.)
Subject depicted
Fortune-Teller
Summary
The pictures made by Indian artists for the British in India are called Company paintings. This one comes from a set of six depicting castes and occupations. This was a common subject for such paintings.
Bibliographic references
  • Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992, 47, 48 p. ISBN 0944142303
  • The V&A Album 2 London: Friends of the V&A, 1983 Topsfield, Andrew, Two Early Company Albums, pps. 57-62
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
0927:6/(IS)

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Record createdDecember 16, 2002
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O72056/a-fortune-teller-painting-unknown/
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