Posted 8 years ago
philmac51
(210 items)
So this could depict the end scene, if you like, from "The Three Princes and the Princess Nouronnihar" from the "Arabian Nights: One Thousand and One Nights." Prince Hussein flying away with his prize the Princess Nouronnihar.
The first English translation from the Arabic was published in 1880 from what I can tell and was something of a sensation at the time. So I suspect that this is when this painting was made. Very unusual circular frame in mahogany maybe with a peacock decoration, again, very Art Nouveau and dates it to the end of the 19C.
Interestingly there also exists a magic carpet in Russian Folk Lore - but it's all a bit dark - so I'm sticking with the romance of the Arabian Nights.
It's not the finest painting in the world but wonderfully 'romantical' - I know it's not a word!
22" in diameter
I love it! Where did you get it from?
Good point Bonnie, it's not like me not to ramble on about that. I bought it locally in a junk shop for about £5 about 20 years ago. Unfortunately there's not too many of those types of shops around these days.
It's a super find. I'd have bought it, too. I'm lucky in that I live in the Netherlands, and there are still "junk shops" to be found around here. I lived in the UK from 1978-1981, and found all sorts of great things in the dusty old shops in Banbury. My favorite shop was run by a little old lady who wore her hair in a white bun.
Very nice painting. I rather believe it's a scene from the Russian fairy tale, the clothes and everything in the picture is rather Russian than Arabic. The letters PCCA read RSSA, and the frame is decorated with stylised bird motifs ( not peacock) - in typical style for the Russian folklore.
Thank you Martika - yes I think you could actually be right - do you know of the actual Russian folk tale itself - as I can't find anything specific?
What I mean is, I can't find a specific tale of a prince and princess on a magic carpet apart from the obvious Arabian Knights version.
Hi Phil, I was looking for it, but can't find the exact tale in English, but it must exists. V. Vasnetsov was a Russian artist who was mainly inspired by his nation folklore, mythology and history. He has a painting on this subject :
http://www.tanais.info/art/en/vasnetsov4more.html
By the way I saw palekh boxes with the same theme:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Russian-Large-Lacquer-box-Palekh-Magic-Flying-Carpet-miniature-Hand-Painted-/272096100689?nma=true&si=YlD3QyV92PElqgi2TzYJqTpu7Yw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Palekh miniature is a typical Russian folk handicraft, often decorated with scenes from fairy tales.
Hi Martika
Yes I have seen the Vesnetsov paintings (Firebird story I think) - thanks so much for your input - hopefully I will come across the story one day. The palekh box art is closest to mine I think...but mine has no Firebird...very interesting.