Artisan – Gulab Singh
Craft – Meenakari on Silver
Made of 99 percent pure silver and weighing 600 grams, this cup by National awardee Gulab Singh showcases the traditional art of Meenakari.
The intricate design and vibrant colors took ten months to complete. Symmetrical patterns at the top and bottom of the cup’s bowl blend with floral motifs, repeated on the underside of the rim. The Prussian blue of the globus stem evokes the domes of mosques, with geometric lines leading to the pedestal where floral patterns allow the silver to shine through. Silver rings above and below the globe remain unenamelled, highlighting the craftsmanship.
Meenakari, an ancient craft originating in Iran, involves filling engravings on silver or gold objects with crushed gemstone powder. The powdered gemstones are fused into the metal through kiln firings and then polished to a high shine. Gulab Singh, a fifth-generation artist, continues this cherished tradition.
