Paintings created to appeal to the tastes and interests of primarily European foreigners in India in the 18th century are often referred to as ‘company paintings’ after the East India Companies for which many of their purchasers worked. Images of pairs of men and women of different castes and occupations, often against largely monochromatic backgrounds, were especially popular. In this image a man plays a pipe to charm the cobra held by his female counterpart. Further indicating his role as an entertainer, three wooden puppets hang from his waist sash. Probably once part of a large series, the painting is inscribed ‘No. 36 A man who catches and tames snakes Malabar’.