Rajput schools of Indian miniatures are represented in the 30-piece collection of the late Linda York Leach that will be auctioned at the Islamic and Indian sale by Bonhams on April 24 according to the the international auction house.
Among the notable items are an image of fiery orange pyjamas worn by the two early nineteenth Jodhpur rulers seated in conversation that has been estimated to fetch between 3,000-4,000 pounds.
A portrait of a late 18th century Mandi prince holding a falcon is estimated between 1,200 to 1,500 pounds; and another provincial Mughal painting from 18th century Rajasthan depicting a father teaching his son falconry has been tagged between 3,000 to 4,000 pounds.
Interest and scholarship in Indian miniature painting has grown considerably over the last fifty years and Leach was central to this renewed scholarship. "Leach is firmly placed among the leading academics in the field of Indian miniature painting from the last few decades and her miniatures, works of art and working reference library reflect the important contribution she has made," says an official from the auction house.
Also included in April 24 auction is a large and unusual topographical map from Northern India of a fortified hill top fort painted in the early 19th century that is estimated to fetch between 8,000 pounds and 12,000 pounds. A collection of bronzes, ivories, and textiles from the collection are also on offer in the upcoming auction.
Linda York Leach was born and educated in Michigan, US with her first degree being taken at the University there.
In 1977 during a symposium on Pahari Painting held at the Los Angeles County Museum, collector Edwin Binney gave a personal tour of his collection at the San Diego Museum to a gathering of academics, museum curators, collectors and dealers across the world.
"It was at this symposium that Linda Leach first came to attention of Robert Skelton who was able to guide her to the mammoth task of cataloguing the Mughal and Indian miniatures in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin resulting in the publication in 1995 `Mughal and Other Indian Paintings from the Chester Beatty Library`" according to the auction catalogue.
In 1986, Leach had completed the catalogue of the Indian Miniature Paintings and Drawings in the Cleveland Museum of Art. She also published in 1998 "Paintings from India: Vol VIII. Naser D.Khalili Collection of Islamic Art."