[CURIOSA]. [A matching pair of strange Indian erotic paintings of exceptionally high quality]
by [Anonymous Indian Artist]
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Lockhart, Texas, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
n.d. (19th or 20th century). Two illuminations on thin India paper some vertical creasing, professionally matted and framed. Ad 1 (priapus): 300 x 250 mm (frame size), 198 x 140 mm (visible), 147 x 93 mm (size of illumination). Ad 2 (she-devil): 306 x 231 mm (frame size), 205 x 140 mm (visible), 150 x 83 mm (size of illumination). Sold as a pair. TWO WEIRD EROTIC INDIAN ILLUMINATIONS, THE LIKES OF WHICH WE HAVE NEVER BEFORE ENCOUNTERED, AND ARE UNLIKELY TO ENCOUNTER AGAIN.
Popular in Roman decorative art, the winged priapus is uncommon in Indian iconography. Our illumination is of particularly high quality, and depicts a beautiful Indian woman riding a reined priapus perhas twice her size. The priapus is depicted with avain feet and giant wings. The environment is like a strange dream: in the foreground a grey pool with pink flowers; behind are dark green hills with eerie trees and vegetation. In the sky at sunset are what appear to be rain clouds, touched in white. We have been unable to transcribe the text, but there is writing on the verso.
The second illumination depicts a grotesque she-devil with fangs, horns, and a long tongue, naked save for pearls around her wrists, ankles, and biceps. Above her waist her speckled skin is light purple, and below dark green. The monster clutches to a strange tree on which four priapus grow, and with it engages in sexual relations. She reaches toward a basket of several other priapus which are positioned on an upper branch. As with the accompanying illumination, in the foreground we find a watery pool and pink flowers, and dark green hills studded by surreal trees. The setting is at twilight.
HIGHLY CURIOUS, AND MUST BE SEEN TO BE FULLY APPRECIATED.
Popular in Roman decorative art, the winged priapus is uncommon in Indian iconography. Our illumination is of particularly high quality, and depicts a beautiful Indian woman riding a reined priapus perhas twice her size. The priapus is depicted with avain feet and giant wings. The environment is like a strange dream: in the foreground a grey pool with pink flowers; behind are dark green hills with eerie trees and vegetation. In the sky at sunset are what appear to be rain clouds, touched in white. We have been unable to transcribe the text, but there is writing on the verso.
The second illumination depicts a grotesque she-devil with fangs, horns, and a long tongue, naked save for pearls around her wrists, ankles, and biceps. Above her waist her speckled skin is light purple, and below dark green. The monster clutches to a strange tree on which four priapus grow, and with it engages in sexual relations. She reaches toward a basket of several other priapus which are positioned on an upper branch. As with the accompanying illumination, in the foreground we find a watery pool and pink flowers, and dark green hills studded by surreal trees. The setting is at twilight.
HIGHLY CURIOUS, AND MUST BE SEEN TO BE FULLY APPRECIATED.
Details
- Bookseller
- Michael Laird Rare Books LLC (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 3217
- Title
- [CURIOSA]. [A matching pair of strange Indian erotic paintings of exceptionally high quality]
- Author
- [Anonymous Indian Artist]
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Date Published
- n.d. (19th or 20th century)
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
Terms of Sale
Michael Laird Rare Books LLC
14 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 14 days after delivery if an item arrives mis-described or damaged.
About the Seller
Michael Laird Rare Books LLC
Biblio member since 2007
Lockhart, Texas
About Michael Laird Rare Books LLC
Welcome to Michael Laird Rare Books, LLC. We specialize in fine and rare books, manuscripts, documents, ephemera, fine and historic bookbindings, and illustrated books of every description. Michael Laird is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America), ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), and the Appraisers Association of America (USPAP compliant, and AAA certified in the appraisal of Rare and Antiquarian Printed Books). Michael Laird earned his masters degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin (1989) and has more thirty years experience in the antiquarian book trade. He is the principal Rare Book and Document appraiser at Winston Art Group (New York) and Gurr Johns (New York). From 2002 until 2013 he taught advanced graduate level courses in Rare Books and Special Collections (Palmer School of Library and Information Science at Long Island University, and the School of Information at The University of Texas at Austin School of Information).
We invite you to browse through a selection of our inventory: we strive to present the greatest historic detail and bibliographic accuracy, even for lesser priced - but no less interesting - items. We are happy to provide further images of any item: please inquire.
Order with confidence: we select every item with great care and discernment; moreover, we examine every page of every book. We are always interested in purchasing fine and rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera; please inquire. We very much appreciate your interest in our work, and your patronage. Thank you!
We invite you to browse through a selection of our inventory: we strive to present the greatest historic detail and bibliographic accuracy, even for lesser priced - but no less interesting - items. We are happy to provide further images of any item: please inquire.
Order with confidence: we select every item with great care and discernment; moreover, we examine every page of every book. We are always interested in purchasing fine and rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera; please inquire. We very much appreciate your interest in our work, and your patronage. Thank you!
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
This Book’s Categories
Also Recommended
-
Save 10% on every purchase!
Join the Bibliophiles’ Club and start saving 10% on every book.
$29.95 / Year