Taj Mahal, a 19th Century Indian miniature painting

Agra School mid 19th century. Small oval painting  in watercolour, approximate size 50mm x 40m. The miniature is pasted to old paper inscribed in ink in a contemporary hand Taj Garden Side Agra . The miniature has been sealed with paper to a glass (now lacking but traces of paper remain), and was probably originally in a box or hardwood black frame. The miniature, finely painted and in bright condition shows the Taj Mahal from its most iconic viewpoint looking from the main entrance down the tree lined avenue containing water tanks against a clouded blue sky. The image has retained particularly fresh colours because it has been kept from the light for a long time. The miniature is one of the type produced as souvenirs in the mid nineteenth century and is of much superior quality to the modern reproductions to be found today. Accompanied by a related gilt brass mount of the type used in daguerrotype cases.