An Indian Painted Narrative Scroll

Supposedly this is an old Bengal painted narrative scroll called Patta.

Does this have the same rustic character as that of other Bengal Pattuas?

Doesn’t the finesse of each element – the faces – the borders – the details of the furniture etc – reflect the painting styles seen in Rajasthan?

Doesn’t the fact that base of this scroll is cotton make one wonder?

Doesn’t the nature of the colors and painting style come very close to the Jain paintings seen in international auctions in the past decade?

It is a lovely painting but if this were mine, I’d definitely investigate the origin and age some more.

Seen in the Victoria & Albert museum.

Feb 2018