A SCENE FROM A BHAVAGATA PURANA: MATSYA PREPARING TO SLAY SHANKHASURA
Kashmir, 19th century

Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper; Matsya, the first avatar of Vishnu, rises from the waters to vanquish the demon Shankhasura emerging from a conch, four men seated on a lotus symbolizing the vedas venerate Vishnu; the frame and verso with nasta'liq calligraphy.

Image and credit: Bonhams