The Pampered Princess

Currently not on view

The Pampered Princess

c. 1680-1690

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

In this colorful scene of courtly life, a woman sits on a silver throne holding a golden goblet and smoking a huqqa (water pipe). Embellishment and ornamentation reveal this woman’s identity: her elevated position, elegantly embroidered clothes, and emerald‑like jewelry (made of the carapace of iridescent beetles) mark her as royalty. Female attendants sing and play for her, offering wine and delicacies, and one even massages her feet. While articulating her status, this painting is also about pleasure—delight in design and the beauty of adornment.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

The Pampered Princess

Date:

c. 1680-1690

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor, gold, silver-colored paint, and beetle-wing cases on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 6 7/8 × 8 15/16 inches (17.5 × 22.7 cm) Sheet: 8 3/8 × 10 5/8 inches (21.3 × 27 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

125th Anniversary Acquisition. Alvin O. Bellak Collection, 2004

Accession Number:

2004-149-24

Geography:

Made in Mankot, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Asia

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Currently not on view