The Dancing White Charger: Patiala School Royal Horse, Circa 1765

Description:

This is a rare and certified antique Indian miniature painting, a museum-quality equine portrait originating from the illustrious Patiala School within the Punjab Hills, dating to the mid-18th century (circa 1765). Unlike common decorative miniatures, this piece holds significant historical and artistic provenance, likely depicting a cherished state horse of the Maharaja.

Historical and Provenance Details:

• Era and School: Attributed to the Patiala School of Painting, a regional style within the broader Sikh/Pahari tradition that flourished under royal patronage in the Punjab plains. The date of c. 1765 places it in a key period when this school was developing its characteristic style of refined portraiture.

• Authentic Antique: This piece is a genuine antique, with both the paper and the artwork dating back to the period of origin. The soft, aged patina of the paper visible around the borders is consistent with its old age.

Artistic Features:

• Subject: The White Horse (Shvetashva), a symbol of purity, speed, and supreme royal power, is the sole focus. It is shown in a characteristic "dancing" or prancing pose, with one foreleg raised, a typical convention for royal equestrian portraits.

• Ornate Tack: The horse is richly adorned with intricate, ceremonial trappings, including a highly detailed pink and black saddle blanket featuring geometric and floral motifs, indicating the animal's high status within the royal stable. A pendant charm is visible near its flank.

• Style: The painting exhibits a refined naturalism characteristic of the influence of the Mughal aesthetic filtering into the regional Patiala court, combined with the vibrant color choices seen in the Pahari tradition. The simple background—a low horizon of stylized green mounds beneath a soft blue sky—keeps the entire focus squarely on the majestic animal.

• Medium: Executed in traditional opaque watercolors (Gouache) on aged handmade paper, employing fine brushwork (pardaz) to render the muscle and the detailed features of the bridle and mane.

This magnificent portrait is an exceedingly rare cultural artifact, representing a pinnacle of equestrian art from the royal courts of 18th-century Patiala.