Ashoka Tree Flower, Leaves, Pod, and Seed

first half 19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 464

At the bottom of the page, the painting is inscribed Jonesia asoca, the Latin name for the tree commonly called Ashoka. Sanskrit for "without sorrow," the term "Ashoka" refers to the bark’s reputed homeopathic properties for keeping women healthy. The tree itself is a rainforest tree prized for its foliage and fragrant flowers, which are carefully depicted here. As in the manner of scientific drawings, the branch is centered on the page, which has no background elements, and the pod and one of its seeds are shown in the top right corner. Three details of the flower are shown below, each labeled with letters and numbers and executed in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Ashoka Tree Flower, Leaves, Pod, and Seed
Date: first half 19th century
Geography: Made in India, probably Calcutta
Medium: Opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions: Page: H. 23 1/4 in. (59.1 cm)
W. 17 5/8 in. (44.8 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Purchase, Shamina Talyarkhan Gift, 2008
Object Number: 2008.562
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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