Marble Inlay Work
STATE : UTTARPRADESH
ORIGIN : AGRA
TYPE OF ART : FINE ART
This paper explores about Agra Marble Inlay Work which is a work of historical fine art, wherein various semi precious stones of various hues are inlayed in Marble so as to create designs of unsurpassed elegance
The origin of this work can safely be traced to the Mughal Era. The Agra Marble Inlay work is found in various Mughal monuments such as;
• The Agra Fort in particular the Jasmine Tower in the Fort where Emperor Shah Jahan was kept imprisoned. This is one of the finest marble inlay work ever found,
• Itmatuddaulah’s tomb at Agra,
• Saint Salim Chisti’s Durga at Fatehpursikri,
• Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra, and
• The Taj Mahal at Agra.
So the origin of the Agra Marble Inlay works can be traced back to the regime of Emperor Akbar during the 16 Century and around the year1542 -1605 AD.
TYPES OF MATERIALS USED :
• MARBLE
• SEMI PRECIOUS STONES
• RED OXIDE
• TRADITIONAL GLUE
• HAND OPERATED EMERY WHEEL
• CHISELLING TOOLS (Tankiya and Narzi)
TYPE OF MARBLE USED:
• Indian marble,
• Black marble,
• Indian green marble (Baroda green)
TYPE of SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES USED:
• Lapis Lazuli,
• Malachite,
• Turquoise,
• Coral,
• Cornelian,
• Paua Shell
MARBLE INLAY IS USED AS:
• BUILDING MATERIAL,
• MONMUMENTS,
• TABLE TOPS,
• PLATES, BOXES,
• TRAYS,COASTER SETS,
• CHESSBOARDS,
• BACKGAMMON BECK GAMMON BOARDS,
• PEN HOLDERS,CARD HOLDERS,
• ASHTRAYS,
• PAPER WEIGHTS,
• VASES,
• WINE CUPS,
• ELEPHANT STATUTES,
• BATH ROOM TILES,
• BORDER TILES, ETC.
.
2. Agra Marble Inlay Work is a work of historical fine art, wherein various semi
precious stones of various hues are inlayed in Marble so as to create designs of
unsurpassed elegance.
The origin of this work can safely be traced to the Mughal Era. The Agra Marble
Inlay work is found in various Mughal monuments such as :
• The Agra Fort in particular the Jasmine Tower in the Fort where Emperor Shah Jahan
was
kept imprisoned. This is one of the finest marble in the world.
• Itmatuddaulah’s tomb at Agra,
• Saint Salim Chisti’s Durga at Fatehpursikri,
• Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra, and
• The Taj Mahal at Agra
3. The Taj Mahal at Agra has three types of works which goes into its
construction, namely MARBLE Inlay Work, JALLY Work and STONE Carving.
Of this the MARBLE INLAY WORK is more extensive and exquisite. has
been built using this Geographical Indication.
The construction of the Taj Mahal at Agra was completed in the year 1653
by Emperor Shah Jahan, who of all the Mughal Emperors was the greatest patron
of architecture in India. It is said that for him no amount of money or time was
too much then to create monuments of enduring, everlasting architectural
beauty.
The Agra Marble Inlay work was therefore patronised by the Mughals and
in particular Emperor Shah Jahan and it developed and has come a long way
since.
4. TYPES OF MATERIALS USED :
MARBLE
SEMI PRECIOUS STONES
RED OXIDE
TRADITIONAL GLUE
HAND OPERATED EMERY WHEEL
CHISELLING TOOLS (Tankiya and Narzi)
TYPE OF MARBLE USED:
INDIAN MARBLE,
BLACK MARBLE,
INDIAN GREEN MARBLE (BARODA GREEN) .
TYPE OF SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES USED:
LAPIS LAZULI,
MALACHITE,
TURQUOISE,
CORAL,
CORNELIAN,
PAUA SHELL
5. MARBLE INLAY IS USED AS:
BUILDING MATERIAL,
MONMUMENTS,
TABLE TOPS,
PLATES, BOXES,
TRAYS,COASTER SETS,
CHESSBOARDS,
BACKGAMMON BECK GAMMON BOARDS,
PEN HOLDERS,CARD HOLDERS,
ASHTRAYS,
PAPER WEIGHTS,
VASES,
WINE CUPS,
ELEPHANT STATUTES,
BATH ROOM TILES,
BORDER TILES, ETC.
6. AN ELABORATE METHOD IS INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS UNDER
VARIOUS STEPS.
1. The Marble is cut into the desired shape as per the final product (decorative item ) to
be made such as table top, coasters, plates, ashtray, etc.
2. A design (flora , fauna , sceneries etc) or geometrical motif is conceptualized and
drawn on the red oxide layer
3. . The chiseling tools called tankiya & narzi are used to create grooves / inlays on the
marble surface as per the required design.
7.
8. 4. Hand Operated Emery Wheel is used to shape the Semi precious stones
as per the design viz. of flowers, leaves, animals, birds etc., as grooved
on the marble.
5. The semi precious stones are temporarily put on the inlaid area to see
whether the grooves are made right, otherwise the grooves / inlays are
modified as required.
6. The traditional glue applied which is used to stick the semi precious
stones cut in desired shape in the inlays.
9. 7. After the glue it has dried, smoothening is done, by rubbing the stone
inlayed marble surface with very fine sand paperthe surface and
edges are polished to give a shiny finish.
8. Smoothening of the surface of the marble inlay work is done with the
help of a sand mapaper and/ or diamond.The purpose of smoothening
is to give a perfect finish to the inlayed surface.
9. Then the inlayed surface and edges are polished to give a shiny/
glossy finish. This is done with the help of wax polish and a piece of
soft cloth.Both smoothening and polishing are done purely by hand
and no machines are used.
10. This process complete removes even the traces of lead oxide present
on the surface. This completes the making of the work and the
product is ready for market.
10. CONCLUSCION
The master craftsman makes regular checks to ensure that
quality and flawless work is being carried out. The art in itself requires high
precision that it leaves no scope for flaws. The work is so finely done that
these is no scope for any flaw.
This is translated into the marble product after careful
examination of aesthetic aspects of the final Product. For eg. 90 X 90 cm
product will require a different pattern in comparison with 120 & 120 table
top. The Human Creative element of the artisan determines what will make
the final appeal to the Consumer.
