Chintz Painted Window Shutter From Bikaner - 18thC

This rare antique Indian painted window is a museum worthy example of the pinnacle of Bikaner painting. These beautifully painted 18^th century Indian window shutters hail from the area of Bikaner in Northern Rajasthan, India. It is one of a set of three pieces, the other two are currently in our private collection. 

The central focus is the Mughal tree of life design which is surrounded by flowing floral motifs and birds. The colours used are vivid mineral pigments. These shutters were used to cover a wall niche where valuables were kept. There is a beautiful detailing of two figures riding horses on the blue bowl towards the top.

The style of painting has many similarities with the Phool Mahal (flower palace) in Junagarh fort, Bikaner which was constructed sometime between 1571 & 1668. It also has many similarities with the Mughal floral designs of the Taj Mahal completed in 1648AD. 

There are also parallels in the painting style to chintz which became immensely popular in the 17th century with more than 1 million items of chintz clothing exported to Britain by the 1680's.

This style of painting heavily influenced British style in the 18th and 19th centuries and was imitated during the British wallpaper boom of the 1800's & 1900's inspiring great names such as William Morris. 

As is common on these pieces, the paint has flaked off the iron bound areas. We have halted the aging process in our workshops

Supplied with hangers and fittings for easy wall mounting. 

From India

62 x 2 x 92 (wxdxh cms)

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