gouache heightened with gold on paper, each with a portrait oval with blue spandrels and ruled marbled pink borders, each verso with devanagari inscription identifying subject

"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In February 1837, Sir Henry Fane, British commander-in-chief and his entourage, visited the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, on the occasion of the marriage of Nau Nihal Singh, the Sikh ruler's son. A detailed account of his visit was made by Fane's nephew and aide-de-camp Henry Edward Fane (H.E. Fane, Five Years in India, London 1842, 2 vols). On meeting the Maharaja for the first time, the younger Fane commented on the magnificence of the dresses and jewels, comparing the scene 'to a gala night at the Opera.' (Stronge 1999, pp. 75-76). Sir Henry Fane died in 1840 on board the Malabar off the coast of the Azores.

The only other recorded portrait of Frederick Currie is in The Signing of the Treaty of Bhairowal on 26 December 1846 in the British Museum painted in circa 1846-47. At this time Currie was agent to the Governor General Lord Hardinge, following the First Sikh War he was involved in arranging the treaties of Lahore and Bhairowal. In 1848 Currie was appointed Resident at Lahore where he was involved in the Siege of Multan anꦍd the imprisonment and exile of the rebel queen Maharani Jindan Kaur. In 1854 Currie was made Director of the East India Company and Chairman in 1857. Sir Frederick Currie died in 1875.