Carved Marble Wall Panel with Parchin Kari (Semiprecious Stone Inlay) of Botanical Motifs
Date1935-1938
MediumMarble, semiprecious stones
DimensionsOverall: 30 x 21 in. (76.2 x 53.3cm)
ClassificationsStonework
Credit LineCourtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art
Object number41.49c
DescriptionThis inlaid botanical design decorates a dado, or lower wall panel, of the bathroom in the Mughal Gallery. The floral design is formed from multicolored gemstones inlaid into marble using a technique called parchin kari, meaning “inlay” or “driven-in” work. This floral image is thought to be a poppy (Papaver orientale) and is formed from carnelian and jade. Like many of the botanical images represented in this corpus, this floral pattern is based on a Mughal design. The precedent for this image is found on the lower cenotaph of the Taj Mahal.
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