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A Ruler Presents a Document to Visiting Nobles
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Many carpets produced in the southwestern region of the Indian subcontinent feature a tone-on-tone mustard-yellow color scheme with lattice design. It demarcates the space of honor for the highest-ranking members of the refined gathering of literary connoisseurs. The figure facing right, with the peacock-feather whisk held over him, would be the host. He has a letter or poem in his hand. His guests have partaken of an aromatic betel-leaf packet (<em>paan</em>) and a rose from the dishes between them. Implements for writing and trimming paper lie on the carpet between a spittoon and courtly stabbing dagger (<em>katar</em>).
| Artist / Maker | Mughal India, Deccan |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1700–1720 |
| Culture / Origin | Mughal India, Deccan |
| Medium | Gum tempera and gold on paper |
| Dimensions | Overall: 22 x 32.7 cm (8 11/16 x 12 7/8 in.) |
| Department | Indian and Southeast Asian Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
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