PaintingsIndian19th century

A Sikh Ruler Playing Pachisi (Parcheesi)

19th century

Description

Lying across and on his side on a daybed is a young Sikh ruler. He reaches over to take a game piece from one of the three figures seated on the floor near a Pachisi, popularly known in the West as “Parcheesi”, game board. The ruler has a dark, full bead and wears a red turban, a salmon pink tunic, as well as white trousers with a drawstring. The figures on the floor wear long white scarves and white dhotis, a traditional men’s garment in India that consists of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs. Two of the figures have dark hair and full beards, while one has white hair and a full white beard. An attendant, whose status is signified by his small stature, massages one of the ruler’s feet. He is accompanied by another attendant in white carrying a cup and a flask. The men can be identified as Sikh by the type of turban that they are wearing, which was fashionable amongst Sikhs in the early 19th century.

Classification

Paintings

Medium

Opaque watercolor on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

16.8 x 21 cm (6 5/8 x 8 1/4 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1973 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1973.