Walk through the old lanes of Jaipur and you’ll hear the soft tapping of tools long before you see the workshops. This is the home of Meenakari — the craft of fusing brilliant colours onto metal and stone.
A royal history
Meenakari arrived in India via Persian artisans and flourished under Raja Man Singh of Amber in the 16th century. The craft soon became synonymous with Rajasthan, decorating everything from jewellery to temple doors.
How it’s made
The artisan first engraves a design into the surface. Coloured enamels — ground from minerals — are then filled into the grooves one colour at a time, each fired separately. The result is the glossy, jewel-like finish you see on our Meenakari pooja chowkis and elephant figurines.
Caring for Meenakari pieces
- Dust gently with a dry, soft cloth.
- Avoid water and chemical cleaners on painted areas.
- Keep away from direct sunlight to preserve the colours.
