Vintage Chromolithograph - Burak

This vintage chromolithograph titled Burak is a striking representation of the mythical steed Buraq, central to Islamic tradition as the creature that carried the Prophet Muhammad during his celestial Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj). Typically shown with wings and a human face, Buraq embodies divine transport, spiritual elevation, and the fusion of the earthly with the celestial.

Published by Hemchander Bhargava Press of Dariba, Delhi, this work reflects the rich syncretic visual culture of early 20th-century India. Bhargava Press was renowned for producing devotional and narrative imagery across religious lines, making sacred and mythological stories accessible to a wide audience through affordable prints.

The credit "Bolton F.A.L. Works, Tardeo", appearing at the bottom right, refers to a Bombay-based lithographic press known for its advanced printing capabilities. Though the image was issued by Bhargava Press, the actual chromolithographic printing was outsourced to Bolton—a common practice at the time. This collaboration highlights the interconnected network of regional publishers and industrial printers who together shaped India’s early mass visual culture.

Framed in a rustic gold frame that accentuates its historical gravitas, this chromolithograph is not only a devotional object but also a valuable artifact from the golden age of Indian printmaking.