Four botanical watercolour studies, from an album originally in the possession of the Earl of Torrington
Company School, Northern India, late 18th Centurywatercolours on paper, most with identifying inscription in ink in English giving the Latin name and the 'common name' (a transliteration of the Persian), some inscriptions in pencil only, and the Persian title in nasta'liq script, also numbered non-consecutively in Arabic, some with Persian title only, all four framed together
each 400 x 265 mm.; frame 106.5 x 78.5 cm.注脚Provenance
Formerly included in an album compiled for the Earl of Torrington, perhaps George Byng, 6th Viscount Torrington (1768-1831), acquired circa 1815 or earlier: the album offered in these rooms, Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 25th October 2007, lot 433.

The album is notable for the number of less commonly portrayed and less obviously colourful wild plants, with an emphasis on those of practical use.

In the following list, the European title is given first (usually a Latin name, following Linnaeus' classification), then any other comment or name, then the Persian title (in italics), followed by the identification of the plant where this has been possible. The inscriptions are as follows:

A. Numbered 203 in Arabic, Colutea, Jit.
B. Numbered [1?]61 in Arabic, Phyllanthus, Hirfa rivri-ye digar, 'another kind of rivri'.
C. Numbered 180 in Arabic, [No title], Rin.
D. Numbered 5 in Arabic, Caripa Caranda, Karunda, the corinda.