gouache on paper, one with watermark, each framed

Ex-collection the Right Hon. Mountstuart  E. Grant Duff, Governor of Madras, 1881-86.
Sotheby's Parke Bernet & Co., 29 March 1982, lot 77 (nos 14, 27, 42).

In overall good condition, occasional minor stains and creases, pencil annotations on the back, as viewed. The drawing with 6 plants bearing a watermark reading "Thos. H. Saunders, London".
"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."

Each of these large illustrated folios once belonged to the same album of botanical paintings, as attested by the annotated numbers on the top left-hand corner. These watercolours, known as ‘Company School’ paintings were produced by Indian artists working under the supervision of European patrons who wished to record the astounding variety of flora and fauna that they encountered for the first time in the tropical climes of the Subcontinent. To this end, each plant was labelled with its scientific name.

These three drawings come from one of three botanical albums executed by the artist Rungia Raju for the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff (1829-1906) sold at Sotheby's in 1982. Mountstuart Elphistone Grand Duff who came from a family historically associated with India, was particularly interested in gardening and botany. He served as undersecretary for India (1868-74) and undersecretary for the colonies (1880-81) before becoming Governor of Madras (1881-86). 

One of these drawing bears the watermark of 'Thos. H. Saunders, London'. 
Thomas Harry Saunders (1813-70) established his paper mill in 1840, becoming one of the most prominent paper makers in England in the second half of the nineteenth century. He contributed to the ಌGreat Exhibition in 1851, the Irish exhibition in 1853 and was a member of the Royal Society of Arts. It can be assumed that the other two drawings have been painted on the same paper.

The botanical studies include:

Painting 1:
Caesalpinia pulcherrima Swartz.

Painting 2 with watermark:
Ionidium suffruticosum.
Tribulus terrestrilrium.
Rungin repens. Nees.
Commelyna saliciofolia roseb.
Evolubins alsionides linn.
Oldalandia umbellate linn.

Painting 3:
Barleria rosea.
Rondeletia speciosa.
Ipomoea lucamodit.
Angelonia salicariifolia kunth.