* L'ascension du Prophète

India, Probably Golconde, 18th century Gold-enhanced gouache on paper, depicting the Prophet Muhammad riding Buraq, a mythical creature resembling a winged horse with a human face, holding a prayer book in his right hand and the reins in the second, preceded by a winged angel dressed in red. Three other angels under the starry sky at the top of the composition shower the Prophet and Buraq with golden rays. Miniature size: 25 x 19 cm Provenance: This lot is sold as a temporary import. The composition depicts the moment of Mi'raj (ascent to heaven), a physical and spiritual journey that the Prophet Muhammad is said to have completed in a single night in 621. Riding the traditional celestial mount of monotheistic prophets, the Buraq, the prophet travels from Mecca to the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem (Isra'), then directly to paradise (Mi'raj). The ascent of the Prophet Muhammad, opaque pigments, Deccan, Central India, 18th century