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Detail of marble inlay work in Taj Mahal
AGRA-INDIA |
Marble inlay, a craft work also known as pietre dure, is a 350-year-old tradition in the land of the Taj Mahal. The art of marble inlay or “Parchin kari” was introduced in India in the 17th century by the Mughals. The Mughals who were known for their great passion for art and architecture brought with them many different forms of art during their rule, which was the golden period of India’s architectural history.
Marble Inlay art “Parchinkari” was a little known art which was made famous by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who envisaged the decoration of the Taj Mahal (today one of the Top first in the seven wonders of the world) by this exquisite work, to fulfill the last wishes of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
The master craftsmen who specialized in this fine art of setting gems and semiprecious stones in marble came from Persia (today’s Iran) to decorate the Taj Mahal. So enormous was the vision of the Emperor that it took 20,000 highly skilled master craftsmen 22 years to realize his dream. During these years most of the master artisans had chosen Agra as their second home, as Agra was the capital of the most powerful imperial courts of the east and a great center for scholars and artisans. Since then this exquisite art has been an integral part of the cult
ural heritage of Agra, and has been kept alive by the descendants of the great artisans who gave the world the mesmerizing Taj Mahal.
But today, marble inlay is enjoying a renaissance.
