Meenakari Art

Meenakari is the art of coloring and ornamenting the surface of metals by fusing over it brilliant colors that are decorated in an intricate design. The Mughals invented the art of enamel or meenawork metal-craft and it was popular with both the Mughals and the Hindu princes of Rajasthan. Gold has been used traditionally for Meenakari Jewellery as it holds the enamel better, lasts longer and its luster brings out the colors of the enamels. Silver, a later introduction, is used for artifacts like boxes, bowls, spoons, and art pieces while Copper which is used for handicraft products was introduced recently. The traditional process starts with the designer, moves on to the goldsmith, the engraver who engraves the design, the enamelist who applies the colour , the polisher, the stone-setter and the stringer, all of whom are ingredients of an important chain of craftsmen that create the finished product..