Meenakari Art

MEENAKARI
ART
WHAT IS MEENAKARI ???
• Mīnākārī is the process of painting and colouring the surfaces of
metals and ceramic tiles through enameling.
• It is practiced as an art form and commercially produced mainly in
Iran, Pakistan and India (the term Kundan is more widely used in
India). Mīnākārī art usually involves intricate designs (mainly using
geometric shapes and designs) and is applied as a decorative feature
to serving dishes, containers, vases, frames, display ornaments and
jewelry.
MEENAKARI FROM IRAQ
ETYMOLOGY
• The word Mīnākārī is a compound word composed of the words mina
and kari. Mīnā is a feminine variation of the word mīnū which means
paradise or heaven. Kārī means to do or place something onto
something else. Together the word Mīnākārī means to place paradise
onto an object.
HISTORY
• The art of enameling metal for ornamental reasons has been traced back to the
Parthian and Sassanid period of Iranian/Persian history.
• However the meticulous ornamental work seen today can be traced back to around the
15th century. The Moghuls introduced it into India and perfected the technique making
the design applied on objects more intricate.
• The craft reached its peak in Iran during the eighteenth and nineteenth century.In the
twentieth century Iranian artisans specializing in meenakari were invited to other
regions to assist with training local craftsmen.
• In India Rajasthan and Gujarat are most famous for their Mīnākārī artifacts and jewelry.
• French tourist, Jean Chardin who toured Iran during Safavid rule referred to an enamel
work of Isfahan, which comprised a pattern of birds and animals on a floral background
in light blue, green, yellow and red.
PROCESS
• The process usually includes the fusing of coloured powder glass onto
a substrate (metal, glass or ceramics) through intense heat (usually
between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius or 1382 and 1562 degrees
Fahrenheit). The powder melts and cures to a smooth, durable glassy
coating on metal, glass or ceramics
OCCURENCE
• Jaipur is the main center of Meenakari. Traditional Mughal colours like red, green and white, dominate
the art of enamelling from Jaipur. The rich, ruby red colour used here is highly sought after.
• Nathdwara, Bikaner and Udaipur are also famous for their silver Meenakari. Pratapgarh is known for
glass enamelling.
• Delhi and Banaras are also important centres for Meenakari.
• Some experts link the historicity of Enamelling in Iran to the Arsacides and Sassanid periods. However,
the use of this art in the Islamic period is not clear before the reign of the seventh ruler of Mongol
empire’s Ilkhanid division in Iran, Ghazan Khan (694-703 A.D.) who introduced Mongol Persia to Islam.
• Ghazan khan acquired the science of chemistry in a short period and preferred to use his knowledge
and endeavours for the art of enameling
APPROACH
• Fine silver is used in almost all enamelling because the
enamel (glass) melts and sticks best to a pure metal.
In simple words, enamelling is the process of making
metal models (fine silver usually) and then melting
various colours and types of glass on to the object.
FACES BEHIND THE WORK
• The artisans that produce Meenakari work are called Meenakars, whose
craft is hereditary and passed on from one generation to another. A single
piece of a Meena work passes through several hands for perfection. The
process involves various artisans with specific functions. The designers or
the Nacquash, followed by the ‘Sonar’ or goldsmith create the initial design.
Then comes the work of the ‘kalamkar’ or the one who engraves the designs
and this is followed by the Meenakar or the enamelist. Then the product is
polished by the ‘Ghotnawala’ or the polisher and passed to the ‘Kundansaaz’
or the stone setter. Lastly, it goes to the ‘Patua’ or the stringer. Each artisan
is an important part of the chain that leads to the end product.
Unfortunately, of late, skilled craftsmen have become rare due to which a
single artisan has to perform several tasks.
PRESENT DAY SCENARIO
• It is practiced today in various other places apart from its main hub in
Jaipur, and each place has added to its own distinctive variation,
technique and style. For instance, the Meenakars of Lucknow use the
green and blue enameling on silver base. The gulabi meena on the
other hand is the hallmark of Meenakari done in Benaras.
• Meenakari in crafts such as accessories and other products like boxes

are done on copper, brass or silver. You can come across countless
items with meena embellishments like bells, fruit baskets, trays, key
chains and other products.
MAINTENANCE
• Meenakari products are durable and often stand the test of time.
They can be used on a daily basis, yet it is important to maintain them
in order to increase their longevity. Meena loses its sheen over the
years; hence gold and silver products should be cleaned with a dry
cloth and stored by wrapping them in cotton. However, a lot of the
meenakari craft items make use of copper or brass as the base; hence
you can make use of special cleaning agents like Min Cream or Brasso
to clean them.
PERSIAN MEENAKARI
MOTIFS
Arabesque motif
• Arabesque motifs are curved lines representing ivy
and flowers
KHATAEE MOTIF
• Khataee is one of the basic designs of Iranian decorative arts used in
carpets, tiles, and Miniature paintings and is a combination of a tree
with flowers, leaves, and buds.
BIRD AND FLOWER MOTIFS
• This design is a combination of flowers and birds flying around them.

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MEENAKARI

• Delhi and Banaras are also important centres for Meenakari.

• Meenakari in crafts such as accessories and other products like boxes

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