Jewellery is a craft that celebrates heritage and architecture shelters it.
India is a cradle of crafts where craft intertwines with culture and produces timeless products. One such craft thriving in its full glory is Meenakari Jewellery. Its name is derived from the Persian words ‘Mina’ (enamel) and ‘Kari’ (work). It is an ancient Indian art form famous for its intricate enamel work highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship. There is heavy use of gold and silver metals, enamels turning jewellery into works of art.
Lore of the Olden Times
This artistic jewellery dates back to the Mughal Empire. Mughal rulers, especially Akbar, were patrons of this art. This art form thus graced the royal court symbolising the wealth and grandeur of the royalty. Mughals over time promoted the Meenakari Jewellery introducing new and rich colour palettes with delicate designs. In today’s time, fine jewellery celebrates its Mughal origin and splendour. One can get a variety of options of Meenakari Jewellery in the market from necklaces, mang tikka sets, and jhumkas to bangles. Every single design showcases the lineage of heritage carried forward by the hardworking craftsmen.
Museum of Meenakari Heritage
Having said that, there is a one-of-a-kind museum in Jaipur that narrates the story of this art form from the beginning of time. It not only tells the history but echoes it through its design features which are scattered all around the building, giving the place a visually cohesive look.
Sunita Shekhawat famous for her Meenakari Jewellery brand inaugurated the Museum of Meenakari Heritage at the Shekhawat Haveli to celebrate her infamous brand’s 25th anniversary. The brief of the design was simple: build a place that preserves the heritage but also paves a path for the future for the people changing their perspectives. It was a collaborative effort between Studio Lotus, Siddharth Das Studio, and local artisans, educating more people about the craft to honour the skills of the craftsmen.
It was Raja Sawai Man Singh I who brought this art form from Mughal courts to the streets of Jaipur where the craft prospered. Thus, it seemed fit to lay the foundation of this culture-filled building in the pink city of Jaipur.
Design Speaks for Itself
For the general public, the museum offers an experience of culture and heritage, making them witness the changes in the wheel of time, showcasing the past and present. The details that are crafted in the jewellery blend seamlessly with the architectural elements. The motifs, colours, and techniques of the Meenakari are reflected in the sculptures, ceramics, floor tiles, and other works of art like Multan tiles with archery wings, wooden sculpture with a sword hilt, etc. The building is an amalgamation of old Rajputana and Mughal architecture. The museum has four floors in total. The ground floor houses the museum and art gallery, offices, and administration are shifted to the first floor, the second floor has gathering spaces and formal meeting spaces for people sharing the same interests and the top floor has a restaurant that exploits the panoramic views of Rajmahal Palace. All these floors are linked by a helical staircase (adding dynamism to the interiors) and an elevator making it accessible to every person.
The front façade has a double-height entrance arch and is clad in hand-carved red sandstone of Jodhpur. It gives the illusion that the first and second floors are one. The red sandstone shines in harmony with the pink hues of the city making the place sensitive to its surroundings. On the upper floors, there are intricate cutouts on panels letting the light enter the place giving a visual experience to the visitor. The ceilings of the building were developed in situ by 12 artisans, the frescoes on the ceilings showcase the local flora and fauna and tell the people about the urban lores of the city. The jharokhas reflect the local streetscape of Jaipur city. The building has been crafted entirely with locally sourced materials. From terrazzo and timber to the façade stone everything was brought from Rajasthan. This not only reduced the carbon footprint but also helped boost the income of the local handicrafts’ artisans and businessmen, adding to the economy of the place.
In every element, the building offers an experience and pays homage to this detail-oriented craft. The area fosters an environment where the act of buying the jewellery is not the primary goal, rather learning about this craft becomes the sole purpose of the visitor. When one enters the place, they seem to be lost in the wonder and beauty of the place forgetting about their business for a moment.
The museum is another example of how modern design can integrate local traditions, techniques, and crafts, respecting the culture at its core. These collaborative efforts have a lot of potential in defining a building and making it a successful space. Museum of Meenakari Heritage can be said to be a successful space since it not only celebrates its heritage but also builds a sense of community among the people creating an engaging experience for the people.
Source: https://www.studiolotus.in/projects/sunita-shekhawat-gallery
https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/sunita-shekhawats-meenakari-museum-palace-of-discoveries-an-ode-to-jaipur-and-the-art-of-enamelling-studio-lotus/
