Antique Miniature Painting British Raj in India Horseman Gold Coat of Arms #3940

Antique miniature painting. Watercolor and gold paint on cardboard. 19th century - circa 1880. Painted and bought in India. 

Measurements:

Measures 3 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/8 inch high.

Description:

Watercolour on cardboard with real gold embossed Coat of Arms. Later mounted and ready to be framed. 

The painting depicts a British horseman on a rearing horse with front legs raised. A crop or stick in one hand. He wears a European style hat on his head. An Indian sage or beggar and two women walk behind him. Behind the bushes he is riding through is a hill, with a wall curving up it's slopes, a fairly common sight near forts or temples in India. Below are more buildings. Minute detail - from the smiling face of the rider to the beautifully depicted horse with flying mane. <P><P>
Most unusual and interesting is the embossed coat of arms, done in gold above the hill. It is the Royal Coat of Arms under a Crown, as used by the United Kingdom featuring a lion and unicorn on either side of a badge divided into 4 sections - one for each part of the United Kingdom (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales). 
The horseman and coat of arms are brighter and clearer than the surrounding background buildings, vegetation and people. 

Condition:

 good, especially considering the age of the painting and the materials used. Please see enlarged 'photos and don't hesitate to ask questions, which we will do our best to answer.
Please enquire about the fascinating companion miniature painting of a game of polo, also from the British Raj and dating to the same period.