COMPOSITE MINIATURE - VARAHA AND THE DEMON HIRANYAKSHA. Polychrome and gold pigments on paper. Varaha is a boar-headed avatar of Vishnu, having defeated the demon Hiranyaksha, who had stolen and submerged the Earth in the ocean. He is depicted here carrying the Earth on his horn, the defeated demon at his feet. This miniature has been mounted on cardboard, after being reassembled with ancient elements. A text in Nasta'liq script accompanies it. India, Deccan, second half of the 18th century. H_34.7 cm W_49.5 cm Provenance: Bonhams, London, 2010

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