Mughal School, after Ustad Mansur (d.1624)

Mughal School, after Ustad Mansur (d.1624)
Turkey Cock
Watercolour and bodycolour, within a scrolling floral border
14.5 x 11cm; 5¾ x 4¼in (image)

The subject derives from a drawing of a turkey cock produced for the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), recording the arrival of this exotic creature in 1612. Muqarrab Khan introduced an intriguing variety of foreign fauna to the Court after a consignment had arrived at the port of Cambay (now Gujarat) on the western coast.