Tuesday 10 June 2025

Lot 32

A snake and ladder composition (Gyan Chaupar or Moksha Patam), Northern India, late 19th century...

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Lot 32

A snake and ladder composition (Gyan Chaupar or Moksha Patam), 
Northern India, late 19th century...

Price Realised: Unsold Lot

Estimate: £800 - £1,200

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Lot 32

Description

A snake and ladder composition (Gyan Chaupar or Moksha Patam), 
Northern India, late 19th century or later, 

Opaque pigments and black ink on paper, the grid and heavens inscribed in devanagari script, the heavens populated by the Holy Trinity (trimurti) further text on each side of the heavens in similar script, laid on cloth, staining, some losses, patched in places, creased

68.4 x 75.2cm.

Note:

Introduced by the very end of the 19th century the board game of "snakes and laddder" is said to have been created by philosopher and saint Dnyaneshwar in 13th century India. Known as moksha patam, the map of liberation, its grid lists the attributes of mankind and is dominated by the heavens, populated on our grid by the Hindu trimurti composed of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The player is propelled upwards by the ladders which connects virtues and forced downwards and backwards by the snakes linking vices. Often the snakes and ladders connected mirrored attributes : kindness would lead to generosity and violence to theft, for example. The board game was used to teach and remind players of the consequences of negative traits and the importance of leading a morally sound life.

Boards were decorated differently based on their origins and likely audience. Ours shows the palette often seen on Rajasthani paintings and the simplified floral garland which sometimes frames paintings produced at the courts in the foot hills of the Himalayas (Pahari).

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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