Jali, red sandstone
India, area around Delhi; 1630-1650
124 × 104 cm
Inventory number 8/2004
While 16th-century _jali_s predominantly were composed as purely geometrical structures, these designs were combined with floral ornamentation from the 1630s.
This type of pattern – a cartouche frame with flowers – also became popular in many other decorative contexts, such as textiles, doors, and the surfaces of carved objects.
The architectural element was highlighted in this yellow-flecked jali since the cartouche frame is topped with a typical Indian lobed arch. It is surmounted by large flowers and the frame below is filled with slightly smaller flowers that follow the rest of the pattern’s regular structure.
This type of pattern – a cartouche frame with flowers – also became popular in many other decorative contexts, such as textiles, doors, and the surfaces of carved objects.
The architectural element was highlighted in this yellow-flecked jali since the cartouche frame is topped with a typical Indian lobed arch. It is surmounted by large flowers and the frame below is filled with slightly smaller flowers that follow the rest of the pattern’s regular structure.
