A highly decorative and very rare Indian Tiger painting. Late 19th/ early 20th century. Rajasthan, oil pigments on cloth, later black cloth backing, 105cm x 155cm.
 
An especially fine example, the drawing is superb and the colours are warm and bright. The base textile is filled with character and texture, with splashes of opaque white around the background and washes of warm tones surrounding the tiger's body.
 
The painting has been mounted on a fine black cotton backing with three narrow hanging loops. 
 
The textile is very fine and there are a couple of small holes where it has worn through, on the bottom of the tail, and near the top of the tigers flank. A couple of very small holes upper left of the background. Evidence of an earlier restoration where the tiger's left paw is: the textile here has been gathered and stitched, so the paw is folded back slightly on itself, see images and video. Presents beautifully overall.
 
Part of a tradition going back to the 18th century (up to the early 20th) of the Mewar nobility having life size or near life size trophy paintings made of tigers they had hunted. It is unlikely that such works would have been hung permanently, but rather displayed in triumphant celebration and then stored for posterity.
 
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