A FINE AND RARE 19TH CENTURY TOPOGRAPHICAL WATERCOLOUR PAINT...

Estimate

£600 - £800

A FINE AND RARE 19TH CENTURY TOPOGRAPHICAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTING ON PAPER DEPICTING A VIEW OF A BOMBAY, INDIA PORT SCENE

The scene depicts a rare historical military view of elephants being hoisted aboard a ship for transport to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), to assist with the war effort by the British India troops. Inscribed and dated 'Bombay, January 1868. Hoisting in elephants for the Abyssinian Expedition. Dock of Bombay, January '68. Transport Hahneman'.

Also another watercolour painting to verso of the Elephanta Caves in Bombay, dated January 1868, showing figures facing the lions that guard the entrance to the caves. The Elephanta Caves are dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Theya re known as Gharapuri, meaning 'The City of Caves' and are situated near Mumbai Harbour in the State of Maharastra, India.

The above watercolour paintings have been painted by a crew member or officer of the Survey Ship H.M.S Hydra. Launched in 1838, Hydra took part in various anti-slavery operations and was also a survey vessel. During the Syrian War, and under Charles Napier, she operated off the coast of Ottoman Syria. She also operated on the North America and West Indies Station under commander Alexander Murray. She was commanded by Horatio Beauman Young in Anti-Slavery operations capturing many slaver ships.

After many other missions around the African coast, by various commanders, she surveyed Cape Colony, Sierra Leone, Cape of Good Hope, Simons Bay and Town, Comoros Islands and other little known places. Importantly, under commanders Arthur Lukis Mansell, she surved the Ionian Islands, Greece in 1865 and the West Coast of Morea 'Peloponesse' and Zante. Under Captain Peter Frederick Shortland she undertook her most notable task, in 1867-1868 by the deep sea cruising in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean., and a Sounding from Aden to Bombay India. The date of the watercolours testify her visit at Bombay, where the artist saw first hand the loading of the elephants for the expedition, and also the visit to the Elephanta Caves at Mumbai in January 1868.

The album that contained this work is signed by the crew/artist :

'R.W Arrad, H.M.S Hydra'. Photo of this signature attached on the listing here.

Royal Navy, Launched 1838, Decommissioned 1870.

36.5cm x 24cm

Private UK Collection.