Pietra dura
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Pietra dura (Italian for "hard stone"; plural – peitre dure) is marble inlaid with designs in precious or semi-precious stonework.
[edit] History
Inlay work, particularly on marble, where it takes the name of pietra dura, generated a lot of debate as far as its origin is concerned. Many believe it to be typically Italian in origin but some contend it to be of Indian origin. The most accepted version, though, is that the form is Italian in origin but the accomplished Indian craftsmen adapted it to their needs, gave it an indigenous touch and used the technique to carve out traditional Indian motifs that are today the crown of Indian art.
When the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the creation of the Taj Mahal in the 17th century, he mandated the monument to be created in white marble with semi precious stones inlaid in the marble slabs. This art of inlaying semi-precious stones in marble is also known as Parchin kari.
The master craftsmen came from Persia (today’s Iran) to decorate the Taj Mahal. During these years most of the master artisans had chosen Agra as their second home, as Agra was the capital of the most powerful imperial courts of the east and a great center for scholars and artisans. For centuries this traditional art has been handed down from one generation to another. Their generations still survive and carry forward this art in the traditional style of the 17th century. Marble table tops, coasters, jewelry boxes, vases, flower pots, chess boards and many other items are being created today as souvenirs.
[edit] Process of setting gem stones in marble
Work begins by careful planning of designs, which is done by the “Ustad” or the master craftsman. After a design has been chosen, the “Ustad” sets the colour scheme and tonality of the design. This is followed by careful selection of raw material (like various semiprecious stones and marble), which is selected by the master. During this process special emphasis is laid on choosing various shades of semiprecious stones to give the right gradation and shading to the flowers and other motifs.
The selected stones are then shaped with the help of especially made emery wheels. Each part of the design is shaped individually, which requires a lot of patience. At times a single magnolia flower may have more than 100 individual pieces and may require about one week to make.
Once all the stones are shaped, work passes to a different group of artisans who specialize in inlaying the stone motifs in marble. Here grooves are cut in the marble with a help of an iron chisel. The grooves are made exactly of the same size so that the stones can fit perfectly in them. The stones are set in the grooves by special glues. This is followed by hand polishing of the marble article, which is done with the help of a traditional polishing powder which is applied on the surface with a soft, moist muslin cloth.
