The opening folio of a Rasamanjari of Daruja Khan, Deccan, Aurangabad, dated 1650, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, two ladies sit on an orange floral carpet in a small chamber which is decorated with a colourful painted frieze, the girl on the right is offering a lotus flower to her companion, the scene is within a thin gilt border with black and red rules, 2 line inscription to the top, the reverse with 12 lines of text, a second attached folio with 15 lines of text on front and back, some words highlighted in red, folio 17 x 21cm., image 11.6 x 15.5cm.Provenance: Simon Digby CollectionThe colophon to the Rasamanjari series to which this page belongs states that it was completed at Aurangabad for a price of a fief of Mewar. The manuscript was published by S. Doshi, 'An Illustrated manuscript from Aurangabad dated 1650 A.D.', Lalit Kala, no.15, pp. 19-28, who posited that the patron was serving in the Mughal armies campaigning in the Deccan. This would account for the synthesis of Mughal, Rajasthani and Deccani styles. This Rasamanjari series is very closely related to a Ragamala set of which pages are published in M. Chandra, Mewar Painting, Delhi 1957, pl.7; S.C. Welch, M.C. Beach, Gods, Thrones and Peacocks, New York 1965, n. 18, and S. Canby, Princes, Poets and Paladins, British Museum 1998, no. 127. Both manuscripts are distinguished by their deep and vibrantly contrasting colours. Two other paintings from this Rasamanjari were sold at Sotheby's. 7 July 1975, lots 86-87. Please refer to department for condition report