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Rajasthani Furniture
Rajasthani furniture handcrafted by gifted artists, represent the rich
cultural heritage of the state. Chairs, tables, beds etc, designed
elaborately by Rajasthanis have found a place among hotels, homes,
resorts and restaurants across the whole country. They are mainly
popular due to the rich and ethnic look provided by them. This
furniture, illustrated by traditional floral patterns and latticework,
has support many Indian homes since its beginning. The patterns are
mostly affected by Mughal art. Rajasthani marble furniture is a sign
of unparalleled style and class.
Wood of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is not only known for its desert but wood work also. The
existence of jungles in some parts of Rajasthan like Jaipur, Banswara,
Kota, and Udaipur have opened plenty of opportunities for its
craftsmen to generate wood items like toys, furniture, and house-hold
articles. Wood work industry had developed in Rajasthan due to the
ruler’s support and many artists of Pratapgarh Udaipur, and Bassi made
their name in their relevant works. Being of wood, the artistic pieces
do not survive for long like other antiques but we have some
attractive and creative wood work master pieces of 17th and 18th
centuries in several museums of Rajasthan. The palaces of former
rulers and house of rich people still love this art and give a brief
look of artistic work of this industry.
Wood carving was relatively well-known in medieval Rajasthan. The main
doors of houses in Rajasthan show the beautiful style of wood carving
that exist.The art work on the doors and other wooden items was simple
but detailed. Bikaner was an example where the doors of the palaces
were wonderfully decorated with ivory. The impact of Mughal craftsmen
was so much that they were popularly known as ‘Akbari Mughal Rajput
style doors’. Such patterns as those of rosettes, peacocks, lotuses,
betels, parrots and medallions reveal both the influences of Hindu and
Muslim cultures. The doors of temples and palaces have a wonderful
look. Among the palace doors, those of Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur and
Jaisalmer are most exquisite being decorated with ivory.
Jaipur has now become centre for producing wood furniture including
modern trends. Its oriental furniture attracts very much attention in
foreign markets. The art of coloring called as Nakshi work is
distinctive on some of the wooden articles. The devices of music like
Violin, Veena, harmonium, and flute are quite popular in domestic as
well as foreign markets and are produced in large quantity.
The simple living and serious measures taken by ancient Indians have
not much helped in developing the art of furniture. But with the
advent of Mughals, the rich people and nobles follow them and
encouraged this art by supporting the many artists. Pipar city and
Bhari Sujanpur in Pali district are well-known centers for preparing
paper-thin bowls (Kamandlus) for the use of Jain Munis from Rohida
wood.
Rohida wood is used in constructing fantastic wooden articles in
Barmer, a border district of Rajasthan. The arts on the doors, roofs,
cradles, tables, and cots are unparallel in beauty. Jaalis, that is,
windows, doors arches, screens and walls have been popular in
Rajasthan architecture. The wood workers at Bikaner have encouraged
this art. Udaipur is a famous centre for wooden toys.
Sandal wood art of Rajasthan very closely estimate the ivory items of
the region. From the selection of theme to the style of size and
representation, they look as if one is the counter-part of the other.
The art forms signify mythological figure, figure of various animals
like camel, elephant, horse, peacock and vegetable patterns. The
well-known sandal wood articles sold are Radha Krishan Figures, Towers
of Victory of Chittorgarh lamps, and traditional folk characters like
Dhola-Maru. Jaipur, Udaipur and Bharatpur are the main producing
centers of this craft.
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There is a
variety of colourful furniture for your house. Tables, Chairs, paneled
screens, beds, mirror frames, television cabinets, wine racks, stools,
end tables, DVD cabinets, cupboards, wooden sofa, and almirah are some
of the things that are available. The beautiful Meenakari patterns on
temples, wall brackets and drawers are also very famous in Rajasthan.
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Jodhpur is
well-known for Rajasthani wood furniture. Search for the real cane
furniture in Ajmer. Delhi, Mumbai, Faridabad, and Noida have some
stores as well. In Delhi you will find the stores at Jagat Puri,
Greater Kailash, Panchkuian Road and Mehrauli...There are some stores
at Jaipur and Udaipur which supply Rajasthani marble furniture.
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• Wood is
the main material that goes into making Rajasthani furniture. Jaipur
specially makes furniture out of mango wood, acacia wood, shisham wood
etc.
• Shekhawati furniture made of Babool, Sheesham and mango is well
known.
• Cities like Jaipur and Udaipur have connected modern and traditional
elements in the craft to improve its appeal. In fact Jaipur’s woodwork
is slowly gaining impetus in the foreign markets as well!
• Tilonia specializes in leather-embroidered chairs.
• The silver furniture of Rajasthan decorates its royal palaces. Sofa
sets, love seat chairs, swings, temples, chairs all come in silver
making way for delicious cynosure!
• Iron, copper and brass are also used.
• Paint is another material used in Rajasthani furniture. In fact it
is difficult to come across any Rajasthani furniture without hand
painted patterns on them.
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