8vo [6.25" x 9"]. Image sizes range from 3" x 4" to 6.5" x 5". 44 very original, wonderful detailed watercolour paintings on mica of Indian tradesmen and women at work with their animals, work tools, scenes, and figures. Some of the trades depicted are water carriers, carpenters, cutlers, goldsmiths, spinner, weaver, scribe, hunter, etc. (Drawn and coloured in a contemporary hand and by an Indian artist). Bound in contemporary black lacquered covers with gilt and mother-of-pearl floral inlay. Patterned endpapers. Very decorative. Leather spine with gilt-tooled decoration some loss with split to hinges. The covers are just holding. The mica group of minerals having perfect basal cleavage and capable of splitting into the thin laminate is an excellent base for watercolour paint. Coloured plates in order: 1. Sedan carried by four men conveying a man of wealth and status. 2. Servant stands, with a fly whisk, by a table with food. 3. Servant holds a ledger or book. 4. Servant holding a 'hooka' pipe? 5. Servant bearing a dish of food. 6. Servant polishing some black boots. 7. Servant holding a brush, with which to sweep floors. 8. A servant fills a bowl full of water. 9. A servant irons out wrinkles on a piece of linen. 10. A Weaver. 11. A Fruit Seller. 12. A Torch Bearer. 13. A Woman bearing a bowl of food. 14. A Tradesman. 15. A man with a rifle carrying a dead Rabbit. 16. A Swordsman. 17. Female Sitar player. 18. A Cloth Merchant. 19. A Spice Seller. 20. A Rug Maker. 21. A Cutler? 22. A Confectionery Seller. 23. A female preparing food. 24. A religious man. 25. A Snake Charmer? 26. A Grain Merchant. 27. A religious man. 28. A Scribe. 29. A Weaver. 30. A Baker? 31. A man with a long pole fetching something (a bird)from a tree. 32. A lady. 33. A man on a cart, being pulled by a pair of oxen. 34. A man being conveyed in a chair by five men. 35. Man and a Camel. 36. Man and his two hunting dogs. 37. A couple in a horse-drawn carriage. 38. Merchant carrying his wares to market by oxen and cart. 39. Educated man holds a book under his arm. 40. Hunter with a rifle and dead fowl. 41. Wealthy nobleman rides, with his servants, on the back of an Elephant. An armed servant walks on ahead. 42. Fishmonger sells to a customer. 43. An armed man on Camelback rides towards a tent. 44. A Carpenter at work.