Red Fort, Delhi. A miniature painting of the Audience Hall, 19th century

A mid 19th century Indian miniature of the highly decorated interior of the Diwan–i-Am or Audience Hall of the Red Fort in Delhi.  The oval miniature measures approximately 5 x 3.5 ins [13 x 9cm and is in a gilt metal inner frame within an intricately carved ebony frame [overall sixe 9 x 9.5ins, 23 x 24cm]. The back has a wooden easel strut [probably a replacement for an earlier metal one. The condition is excellent even though the painting has lost its glass guard at some time. Such paintings became very popular with Europeans visiting India or returning after service there from the mid century onwards.