AN INDIAN MINIATURE PAINTING OF A LADY SMOKING A HOOKAHIndia, 19th century. Ink, gilt, and watercolors on wasli paper. Depicting a palace terrace scene with a lady resting on cushions, smoking a hookah, her attendant standing to her right, in the distance a castle atop hills hidden between flowers, the full moon lightening the dark night. All framed within a dark blue border with scrolling flowers, three thinner borders, and a wide band finely decorated with floral sprays.Provenance: British trade.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minor stains, foxing, and little creasing.Dimensions: Size 30.4 x 22.9 cmLiteratureparison:Compare a related painting with a smoking lady and her attendant, first half of the 18th century, in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number IM.294A-1914.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s London, 6 October 2008, lot 15Price: GBP 2,250 or approx.EUR 4,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A lady smoking near a fountain, Guler or Mandi, 19th centuryExpert remark:pare the related motif and size (33 x 23.2 cm)Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s London, 11 April 2014, lot 110Price: GBP 4,000 or approx.EUR 5,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: An Album Page: Gulbadan Begum Smoking on a Terrace, Delhi, Mughal India, Circa 1800Expert remark:pare the related motif and size (36.8 x 24.5 cm)