Thomas collection

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Reference	2012/004
Archive collection	British Empire & Commonwealth
Level of description	Collection
Date	1885
Description	This volume of Indian watercolours has been inscribed on frontispiece: 'Evan Meredith Thomas on his first birthday from his father, Mhow, March 31st 1885'. The images in this volume fall into the category described as 'Company Paintings', a style which developed in India during the 18th and 19th centuries to appeal to European patrons as souvenirs. The subject matter was often documentary rather than imaginative, tending to depict trademen, famous buildings or people, and scenes from Indian life. The name of the Indian artist is not known. The one volume under this reference contains 60 pages of Indian miniature watercolours. These are pen and ink drawings which have been painted over in bright watercolours. Within the volume there are 3 discrete sections: Pages 1-10: Significant figures in the history of the Punjab and NW Frontier in 19th century. Pages 11-20: Landmark buildings in the Punjab and Delhi. Pages 21-60: Images showing trades and crafts of India. This catalogue was produced with support from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.
Extent and medium	1 volume
Creator	Evan Aubrey Thomas
Biographical history	Evan Aubrey Thomas was with 7th Dragoon Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army. In 1882, he married Constance Ida Rocke of Clungunford, Shropshire, and she gave birth to Evan Meredith Thomas in March 1884 in Shropshire. Unfortunately she died several days later. On Evan Meredith's first birthday, his father was based in Mhow, India, where he commissioned this volume for his son. In 1888, Evan Aubrey Thomas married again, to Blanche Emily Williams, and the family appear in the 1891 and 1901 census returns in England, with Evan Aubrey listed as retired Army Officer. His son Evan Meredith Thomas later changed his surname to Rocke presumably for inheritance purposes, and he is recorded in the 1911 census as a gentleman of private means. He marries Charlotte M Williams on 28 December 1911, and their first child Ida Mary was born in 1912. Now resident in Clungunford House, he enlists in the Dragoons in 1916 in Ludlow, but is discharged with knee problems/myalgia in 1917. By this time he has 3 children, Ida Mary, John and Constance Rocke. His army discharge papers record that he is 6 foot 4 inches tall, and is a farmer. He died aged 69 in March 1954, still resident in Clungunford House.
Access status	Open
Access conditions	None
Physical and technical	1 volume with blue cloth and brown leather binding containing 60 pages. There is a painting on each page,

Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his son Maharaja Sher Singh Raja Goalab Singh and Raja Dhian Singh Dost Mohammed Khan and Sher Ali Khan Sham Singh Atariwala and Raja Jawahir Singh Raja Suchet Singh and Raja Hira Singh Jemader Khushal Singh and Raja Teja Singh Noordeen and Raja Dina Nath Chattar Singh Attariwalla and Sher Singh Atariwalla Duleep Singh and Maharani Jind Kaur Raja Kharak Singh and Nau Nihal Singh Singh Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Golden Temple at Amritsar Jama Masjid at Delhi Taj Ganj, Agra Grave of Jahangir, Lahore Building in Lahore Grave of Ranjit Singh, Lahore Sunehri Mosque at Lahore Tomb of Qutb Sahib, Delhi Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Dyer at work Blacksmith at his forge Bazeegur and drummer Concert Man with dancer and other musicians Man working on a waterwheel Book Binder at work Two Chintz Makers with blocks and fabric Pahulwans taking part in wrestling display Gunsmith working on a rifle Man spinning yarn Man ploughing with oxen Woman making butter Two sword-makers at work Two Shikaris or hunters facing each other Men spinning yarn Banker and his assistant working on their accounts Two men practising with Indian clubs Kashmiri Shawl Dyer surrounded by his wares A potter at work on his wheel Two street performers [?] in elaborate costume Two men spinning silk A group of musicians and performers Wine Merchant and his employee, who is making wine Two builders working on a house Two men making sweets Two men sharpening razors Barber cutting the hair of his customer Two men writing and engraving Two carpenters at work Two people are at work cleaning cotton Woman offering toys to children Two carpenters using a large saw Drummer and warrior facing each other Bootmakers at work Silversmiths at work Milking a buffalo Man selling vegetables Three people at work Making oil at an oil press Indian doctor examining his patient