Antique Pillars with Camel Bone Inlay, Circa Mid 18th Century

The Monochromatic inlay work seen on these pillars reminds one of the Mughal inlay technique of Parchin Kari (Pietra Dura). Although traditionally done with coloured precious gemstones on white marble, the floral designs and techniques introduced by Parchin Kari soon surpassed its base materials in the subcontinent and began to be seen on surfaces like wood, just like this pair of columns.

With a mixture of fine Mughal scrolling floral vines all over the shaft and the geometrical mirrorwork-like ivory inlays common to the Rajput courts of Rajasthan in the base & top of the pillars, these hefty columns stand with capital, base, and shaft intact, offering one a rare chance to relive the glory that came with the advent of Parchin Kari and all that followed.

This pair of columns stylistically stands apart forto a variety of reasons. The first one is, that although work with Camel Bone had never been uncommon to the Indian sub-continent, such fine inlay work only found its way to adorn large-scale buildings with the advent of the Mughals, and is found in large numbers in Rajasthan. It is extremely common for one to see palaces and forts with high arches, facades, pillars, and balconies enriched with fine floral carvings, and reliefs in the state. Secondly, despite seeing such large-scale floral inlay motifs on marble or red sandstone, one usually finds ivory inlay more commonly in articles like furniture, or small decorative objects, such as the wood inlay works from Hoshiarpur. The mere size, weight, and material of these pillars in contrast to the fine ivory-work make it rather unique as a standalone piece.