A miniature painting of extraordinary beings, c.1570

Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lfsearch/LotDescription.aspx?intObjectId=4892362
(downloaded Mar. 2007)

"THE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLAND OF AL-RAMINI AND THE ENTHRONEMENT OF QUEEN WAQWAQ
BIJAPUR, DECCAN, CENTRAL INDIA, CIRCA 1570
An illustration from an Aja'ib al-Makhluqat, gouache heightened with gold on paper with lines of black naskh, one side with two miniatures, one showing the naked Queen Waqwaq enthroned with semi-naked attendants, the other with two registers of gallavanting figures from the Island of al-Ramini, the page with marginal losses but not affecting miniature, areas of oxidation. Folio 11 x 8¼ in. (28 x 21.6cm.)

Lot Notes: This folio comes from a manuscript of Ajaib al-Makhluqat wa-Gharaib al-Mawjudat (The Wonders of Creation and Oddities of Existence), written by Zakariya b. Muhammad b. Mahmud Abu Yahya (1203-83) who later became known as al-Qazwini. The book is divided into two parts which discuss celestial and terrestrial phenomena (Pratapaditya Pal, Indian Painting, Vol. I, Los Angeles, 1993, p. 317). One side of this folio depicts the Queen of Waqwaq, shown here in a gold crown, who was reputed to have 4000 ladies in waiting. The other shows the inhabitants of the Island of al-Ramini, said to speak with the voices of cockroaches."

An early example of Bijapur miniature painting

Source: http://web4.si.edu/asia/collections/singleObject.cfm?ObjectId=10795
(downloaded Nov. 2004)

"The Arrival of a Prince. ca. 1580-1590. Jan Quli. Adil Shahi sultans of Bijapur (r.ca. 1557-1687). Album page; color and gold on paper. H: 24.5 W: 16.2 cm. Bijapur, Deccan, India."