NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1700

Pietra dura, which translates to 'hard stone' in Italian and is referred to as pachchikari or parchinkari in India, is the technique of inlaying coloured stones in to marble or other hardstone. There have been many debates around the origin of this art since it flourished in both Italy and India around the same time. In Italy the technique was revived during the Renaissance by the Medici family in Florence at the end of the 16th century. There are historical accounts from the 16th century which state the presence of Italian craftsmen in the court of the Mughal rulers supporting the suggestion that is was introduced to the Mughal court through these artistic exchanges. However, if that is the case, the Indian artists certainly enhanced and tailored this art form to fully reflect their incredibly rich and vibrant designs which clearly stand out from contemporaneous Italian work. Amongst the most notable buildings and objects created using parchinkari are those commissioned by emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, most famous of all being the Taj Mahal. The technique lives on today and our footrest is a remarkable testament to the continuation of this art form into the early 18th century. A marble fountain of similar technique and date was sold at Sotheby's, London, 5 October 2011, lot 288.