Pietra Dura in India: An Astonishing Art Form

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Pietra Dura in India An Astonishing Art Form

• By- WorldOfStonesIndia

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Introduction

• A technique of inlaying semi-precious stones in
  marble is known as Pietra Dura, or we can say
  that it is the art of carving the stone. It is
  one of the most challenging skills created by the
  Florentines at the end of the 16th century. It
  originated in Italy and was later moved to
  Russia, Europe, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan.
• Pietra Dura was also well known as Parchin Kari
  in Mughal India. This artwork is regarded as one
  of the most important and alluring aspects of
  Mughal art. Such artwork involves expertly
  cutting, fitting, and polished semi-precious
  stones like agate, jasper, lapislazuli, and jade.

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• Pietra Dura is a term for the inlay technique of
  using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured
  stones to create images and art forms. Our Pietra
  Dura wall coverings come with attractive design
  options.
• The primary purpose of pietra dura artwork is to
  create decorative stone objects by encrusting
  stones on abraded marble plates. This technique
  is valued for its capacity to blend expensive
  materials creatively.
• The Taj Mahal is the most prominent example of
  the Pietra Dura in India, credited to the
  Mughals.

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History of Pietra Dura in India

• This technique was created during the era of
  Medici, born on March 25, 1541, and died on
  October 19, 1587, in Poggio a Caiano. The
  proponent of this art in Florence is Francis of
  Medici. He assembled the top stone marquetry
  artisans for his workshop, drawing on their
  expertise to create the tools and methods that
  gave this Pietra duma artwork momentum.
• The nobility demanded better social class
  separation, which was made possible by using
  precious stones.

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• This method was primarily used in the Taj Mahal
  in the seventeenth century, constructed by a
  workforce of almost 20,000 people. A significant
  number of pietra dura constructions were made
  during this time, and as these were essentially
  long-lasting works, we may still locate them in
  museums today.
• Because everything in pietra dura art required
  physical labour, it fell apart in the nineteenth
  century. Even though machines dominated that era,
  no one had yet been able to build one that could
  produce delicate artwork as well as people had.

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Process of Pietra Dura Art Form

• The key terms used in creating artwork with
  pietra dura in India are listed below.
• A pattern will be made, designed, and traced in
  the first step.
• This art is generally made on white, black,
  or green marble. Choosing a suitable stone always
  depends on its availability.
• The selected colored stones are cut into
  different shapes per the prescribed designs. To
  maintain the smoothness of stones, iron wires are
  used.
• Before being adhered to the marble, the colored
  stones are polished.
• Stones are heated to provide a specific shaded
  colour effect.
• The surfaces edges are polished shined with a
  stone bar after the inlay work is finished and
  has dried to ensure that the sheen will stay for
  decades.

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Places Where You Can Find Pietra Dura Artwork

• The Pietra dura pieces in the museum are large
  and very beautiful compared to the private homes
  and small areas. In museums, you can find them
  most frequently and quickly. However, these kinds
  of works of art may also be found in residences
  where people enjoy admiring such stunning
  masterpieces.
• Vienna is the place in the world where you can
  find the most extensive collection of pietra dura
  artworks at "Wiener Hofburg". Sixty-seven
  paintings, cabinets, and sumptuous tables are
  made from this artwork. Various museums contain
  different kinds of pieces made using the pietra
  dura technique.

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Pietra Dura in India

• This technique spread from Florence in the 16th
  century and eventually reached the Indian
  subcontinent. This was the time of the Mughal
  Empire in India when art and architecture were at
  their peak. The Mughals appreciated this newly
  emerged technique and decided to use this style
  to make various beautiful structures. The Taj
  Mahal is one of those examples that beautifully
  describes Pietra Dura in India.
• This art can be found on the Taj Mahal's archways
  and entrances. High-quality pietra dura reveals
  the mausoleum's splendour. Different patterns of
  this art can be found in large quantities.
• This art can also be found in the Agra Fort and
  the Red Fort in Delhi. The pillars and ceilings
  of Rang Mahal and Khas Mahal in the Red Fort also
  indicate the broad work of Pietra Dura.

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Uses of Pietra Dura

• Pietra Dura is an artwork that combines rare and
  expensive natural stones like agate, amethyst,
  lapis, jasper, etc. All these stones are polished
  and cut to fit into patterns that often include
  depictions of birds, flowers, and landscapes.
  This technique is often used for different kinds
  of furniture and smaller decorative objects.
• Table Tops
• Table tops were among the most valuable pietra
  dura pieces since they were the most extensive
  and intricately designed. The table tops were
  adorned with elaborate fruit and flower patterns
  carved from the finest stones. Table tops
  continue to be the most expensive and
  hard-to-find items in the pietra dura market
  today as well.

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• Furniture
• The pietra dura was used as an inlay material for
  large furniture pieces during the Renaissance and
  beyond. The pattern of utilising the pietra dura
  decoration was to apply it to the veneer of the
  furniture.
• Jewellery Caskets
• Many European jewellers used this technique to
  create pietra dura, typically associated with
  lapidary artisans' work. Through this technique,
  various caskets and jewellery boxes were made.
• Tiles
• For interior design schemes, the inlaid ottoman
  tiles are used, which are made using this
  technique by using precious stones. Such tiles
  are perfect for the flooring of significant
  commercial projects.

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• Information Source From-
• https//worldofstones.in/blogs/news/pietra-dura

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• A wing, A - 14 - A, Road No. 1, IPIA,
• Kota - 324005, Raj.
• Phone Number- 91 97996 60771
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