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Papier-Mâché
Darbar Flower Vase
Darbar design
Motif · Papier-Mâché
Mughal Darbar
The Darbar — the royal audience — brings the art of the Mughal miniature painter onto a three-dimensional form. Emperors enthroned, courtiers in attendance, musicians, elephants and hunting parties are drawn figure by figure, each smaller than a fingernail, across a vase or the flank of an elephant.
Miniature storytelling
The finest Darbar pieces are painted in monochrome on an ivory ground, in the manner of a court manuscript, with a subtle sheen and old-world restraint. Others are worked in full colour with gilded detail. Every figure, animal and pavilion is drawn by hand.
A collector's design
Because of the skill it demands, Darbar work is produced by very few naqash today. A Darbar vase or elephant is a piece for a collection — and one of the most distinguished gifts Kashmir can offer.
Questions
What is a Darbar design?
Darbar means a royal court or audience. In Kashmiri papier-mâché, the Darbar design depicts scenes of the Mughal court — rulers, courtiers, musicians, elephants and hunts — painted in miniature.
Pieces in this design
Mughal Darbar, made by hand
Prices on request. Every piece can be commissioned in your own size and palette.
Bespoke
Mughal Darbar, to your own measure
Choose the size, the palette and the density of the work. Our naqash draws the design for your approval before a single knot is tied, a stitch made or a brush lifted.
