Extremely good overall condition. An inscription in devanagari in the upper margin of red folio border is not visible in catalog illustration. The colors are slightly deeper in reality. This lot is exhibited in a temporary frame.
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.
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A dignified king sits focused in meditation, bare-chested except for a white muslin sash draped around his shoulders and a mauve dhoti.  He sits upright and cross-legged on a mat, by a river holding a mala (meditation beads) with a grassy hillock in the distance. His strands of pearls, fine scarf and gold crown signify his nobility.  

An extremely finely f❀inished work - executed with great clarity by a highly confident hand - perhaps by a studio master from the Guler workshop active after Pandit Seu or Manaku. The present painting exhibiting the naturalism and refinement prevalent at the court of Guler, which exposure to "realistic" Mughal style had helped initiate.

The identity of the king is not inscribed, however an examination of his distinctive features reveals similarities to depictions of King Muchukunda in some Pahari works of the period. The Bhagavata Purana tells us the story of Muchukunda: exhausted from his battles with the asuras, Muchukunda was granted a boon by the Gods and falls asleep in a cave in the Himalayas for a very long time.  He is awakened by Kalayavana, the enemy of Krishna, who was tricked by Krishna into entering the cave, disturbing the king from his eons old slumber and incinerated by Muchukunda's furious gaze.  Vishnu then blesses Muchukunda, who journeys to Badrinath in the Himalayas to practice austerities and meditation, ultimately achieving moksha (liberation).

For another Late Basohli-style Pahari painting, also likely from Guler, depicting a gray-bearded King Muchukanda emerging from his cave after being awakened accompanied by Vishnu see: "Vishnu Appears to King Muchukunda in a Cave in the H🐼imalayas" in the Freer / Sackler Gallery (accession no. F1.999.13).   

For another painting illustrating an earlier episode in the story of Muchukunda refer to Sotheby's London, Oct 6 2015,🌞 Lot 103 a🅠nd previously sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, June 15 1979, Lot 141.