An Ivory Model of Emperor Akbar Shah II Listening to a Singer   Delhi Early 19th Century Polychrome ivory on a rosewood base   Height 8 cm Length of base 14 cm   Akbar II seated on a European chair is smoking a hookah. His turban has a prominent lapeta in gold. In front of him is a singer wearing a gold jama, striped pajamas and a green and gold shawl. By placing her hand on her head she is symbolically referring to sovereignty. Behind her there are three musicians, one playing the tabla, one the sarangi and one the manjira. On either side of the emperor stand four courtiers and behind him two guards, wearing costumes which relate closely to the costume of the younger son in the painting by Murtaza Gulam Khan of Akbar II in the British Library.   Click here for Detail of the Model