Parchin Kari - Marble Inlay
Explore the Taj Mahal - Virtual Tour

low cost holiday Millions of low cost holidays listed online. Pick and choose using our powerful search engine. Fantastic discount travel prices for you!	Short break Use the Build Your Own holiday search facility to book great short break holidays or city breaks in a number of exciting destinations!	home based travel agency Travel Counsellors have enjoyed years of success and you can too as part of this home based travel agency. Find out more here.	Travel Insurance Compare prices for cheap travel insurance online at dealchecker.co.uk. Travel insurance prices and policies can vary enormously so make sure you shop around with dealchecker.co.uk.	Cala Blanca Enjoy the fine white beaches of Cala Blanca when you book through UlookUbook...	Holidays to Portugal Want to take your family on a summer holiday? Visit On The Beach for more information on holidays to Portugal.
Property News Great Overseas property news, reviews and features on the global property market by Property Wire.

© 2005 Armchair Travel Co. Ltd. - This page is for non-commercial use ONLY!

   
Save as Microsoft      Print                  
Word document                           



Three types of inlay are used to ornament the buildings of the Taj complex. Stone intarsia, whereby colored marbles are inlaid into easily workable sandstone, is the most basic type of inlay.




This is superceded by the positioning of colored stones into white marble on a large scale. This second type is used to create the impressive large scale calligraphic designs, the intricate geometric motifs that highlight the architecture, and the swirling floral arabesques that define and fill the spandrels of the main arches, such as the example shown here.




However, the highlight to the inlaid scheme is provided by what is described by the Mughal historians as 'parchin kari'. This was, at the time, the most expensive and up to date form of architectural decoration available to the Mughal architects.




The term parchin Kari can be used to refer to the skilled inlaying of gemstones into white marble on a small and detailed scale. At the Taj, the technique is used most spectacularly to depict well observed blooms and flowering plants.




Stones were crafted using a moving metal wheel as an abrasive surface. Patterns were drawn out on the white marble surfaces using henna dye, before craftsmen chiseled out sockets in which the stones were then fitted together.




The parchin Kari at the Taj Mahal is one of the finest quality examples of the era. Similar to the Italian technique known as 'pietre dure', a variety of colored stones including lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate and garnet, were used to achieve stunning depictions of the colorful flowers of India.




Even greater detail was achieved by carefully choosing pieces of each gemstone with differing tones. This variety of hues enabled the craftsmen to give the impression of shading and depth in each flower.