A Mughal Painting of a Composite Sheep, attributed to Zafar Ali Khan. North India, 19th century Opaque watercolour and gold on paper Depicting a sheep composed of various earthly creatures, like a crocodile, tiger, monkey, rabbit, mongoose, fish, birds and a man. Measurment: 30 x 39 cm. Reference: for a near identical work see the the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, DC. ACCESSION NUMBER: F1907.624 Bonhams auction: Islamic & Indian Art | 2 Apr 2009 | London, New Bond Street | Lot 163 Catalogue note: Composite subjects are unusual in Indian painting, influenced by earlier Persian artists. The practice became popular in Mughal India in the 18th Century and by the 19th Century, Europeans were eager patrons of artists working in Delhi on such subjects. For comparison see E. Binney, The Mughal and Deccani Schools, Indian Miniature Painting from the collection of Edwin Binney III, Portland 1973, no. 31; M. Archer, Company Drawings in the India Office Library, London 1972, no. 169, xxvi & xviii; T. Falk and M. Archer, Indian Miniatures in the India Office Libary, London 1982, no. 207.