Thomas Daniell, R.A. (1749-1840) arrived in Calcutta in early 1786 and spent seven years in India capturing views of the cities, archeological sites, and natural landscapes. Upon his return to India in 1794, Daniell set about publishing an extensive illustrated collection under the title OrientalScenery. Six sets were based on drawings he had completed in India with his nephew William Daniell, R.A. (1769-1837) while another, of plates of the caves at Ellora, were done after drawings by Daniel’s late friend James Wales (1747-1795). Oriental Scenery included 144 plates in total. The present lot includes five hand painted aquatints:
“Mausoleum of Sultan Purveiz, near Allahabad,” Plate 22 from Oriental Scenery by Thomas Daniell, 1796. This tomb is actually likely to be that of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s sister Nithar Begum (d.1624/5). This domed mausoleum, with many levels and terraces, is typical of the Mughal style with rows of wall niches and lattice windows.
“The Entrance at Indra Sabha,” Plate 6 from Hindoo Excavations in the Mountain of Ellora near Aurangabad, engraved by Thomas Daniell after the drawings of the late James Wales, 1803. Dating to the ninth century Rashtrakuta Period, Indra Sabha is the largest of the Jain caves at Ellora. The sculptural reliefs in this view depict the goddess Ambika and the Tirthankaras Mahavira, Gomateshvara and Parshvanatha.
“The Upper Part of Kailasa No. 1,” Plate 15 from Hindoo Excavations in the Mountain of Ellora near Aurangabad, engraved by Thomas Daniell after the drawings of the late James Wales, 1803. The remarkable Kailasa temple is the largest temple at Ellora. This view, the left side of a double page panoramic spread, highlights the rooftop and the view from the Hindu temple.
“Tin-tali”, Plate 20 from Hindoo Excavations in the Mountain of Ellora near Aurangabad, engraved by Thomas Daniell after the drawings of the late James Wales, 1803. Tin-Thal is among the Buddhist sites at the Ellora temple caves. This view of Tin-Thal boats the temples’ broad court with large open space halls. The halls were used for large gatherings centered around an impressive sanctuary to Buddha.
“Dehr Warra,” Plate 24 from Hindoo Excavations in the Mountain of Ellora near Aurangabad, engraved by Thomas Daniell after the drawings of the late James Wales, 1803. Dehr Warra is the site of a former monastery towards of the southernmost group of Buddhist caves at Ellora. The single-story excavation at reveals a spacious hall lined by small residential cells.