Ceremonial Elephants Painting Appraisal

Rajasthani Style Indian Miniature Painting of a Procession of Ceremonial Elephants

This is a horizontal rectangular Indian miniature painting, likely originating from Rajasthan, depicting a ceremonial procession of elephants. The artwork features seven elephants (four large adults and three smaller calves) in dynamic movement across a cream-colored ground, accented with stylized floral sprays at their feet. The elephants are rendered in a deep reddish-brown or ochre tone, adorned with vibrant decorative blankets (hownahs) in shades of pink, emerald green, and teal, finished with white dotted borders. The scene is enclosed within a wide teal-green painted border that shows visible craquelure and minor pigment loss, typical of older gouache or tempera on paper. The central image is mounted within a multi-layered matting system—including a thin red inner border and large cream outer mat—housed in a gold-finished wood frame. The style suggests a 20th-century revival of traditional Mughal or Rajput painting techniques, characterized by fine line work and stylized anatomical proportions. The condition appears fair to good; while the central image is protected by glass, there is evidence of slight foxing on the cream paper and minor scuffing on the gilded frame. The craftsmanship reflects traditional folk-art influences with a focus on rhythmic composition and vibrant mineral-tone pigments.