Antique Water Colour of Bagoas, Persian Kings Favourite, Exotic Costume: C19th France

A decorative watercolour of the “favorite du Roi de Perce” (favourite of the King of Persia) 4th century BC.

After some research we have discovered that the figure depicted was Bagoas, a eunuch of Egyptian decent, who became favourite of the ancient Persian king Artaxerexes and went on to become the most powerful person at court.

He is depicted here wearing a fantastical exotic costume including a wonderful headdress and fur edged cloak.

The painting is watercolour on what we think is probably a print, but it may be a fine pen drawing, a great one for costume study or for a collection. It dates from the first half 19th century and may have been brought back from the Grand Tour as a souvenir.

This delightful painting has been professionally framed in a fairly modern silver frame with two nicely cut cardboard inner mounts. We feel that it would benefit from a more sympathetic antique frame.

In good antique condition with some foxing to the surface of the paper, all as you would expect in an item of this antiquity.

Measurements:   28 X 22cm