Panel
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This openwork panel (jali) is made of carved pink sandstone and is in the style of those found on royal monuments of the Mughal emperors, notably those of the city of Fathpur Sikri that Akbar (r. 1556-1605) founded in the 1570s near Agra. The pierced screen is known as a "jali" and they were used to great visual effect in Mughal architecture. They had the practical purpose of providing privacy, especially to the women of the court, and shade from sunlight while allowing for the passage of cool air. They usually have geometric decorative schemes which, while based on simple combinations of basic forms such as the square, circle and hexagon, set up a visual counterpoint in which rhythmically organised patterns baffle the eye. This example was probably copied in the 19th century from original screens in Agra or Delhi.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pink sandstone, carved and pierced |
| Brief description | Carved and pierced openwork Jali screen, pink sandstone, Agra 19th c. |
| Physical description | Openwork panel Jali. This carved and pierced pink sandstone panel was copied from the late 16th or early 17th century originals at the Mughal cities of Agra or Fatehpur Sikri. It would often be used to screen the royal ladies from view, while allowing them to observe. Agra, 19thc. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Object history | Probably commissioned or bought by Caspar Purdon Clarke during his 1882-1883 purchasing tour of India. Transferred from the India Museum to South Kensington Museum in November 1879. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This openwork panel (jali) is made of carved pink sandstone and is in the style of those found on royal monuments of the Mughal emperors, notably those of the city of Fathpur Sikri that Akbar (r. 1556-1605) founded in the 1570s near Agra. The pierced screen is known as a "jali" and they were used to great visual effect in Mughal architecture. They had the practical purpose of providing privacy, especially to the women of the court, and shade from sunlight while allowing for the passage of cool air. They usually have geometric decorative schemes which, while based on simple combinations of basic forms such as the square, circle and hexagon, set up a visual counterpoint in which rhythmically organised patterns baffle the eye. This example was probably copied in the 19th century from original screens in Agra or Delhi. |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic reference | Swallow, D., Stronge, S., Crill, R., Koezuka, T., editor and translator, "The Art of the Indian Courts. Miniature Painting and Decorative Arts", Victoria & Albert Museum and NHK Kinki Media Plan, 1993.
p. 72, cat. no. 56 |
| Other numbers |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.2-1993 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
