Artwork

One of Seven details of pietra-dura work showing flowers an birds on the walls of the Diwan-i Am, Delhi Fort.

One of Seven details of pietra-dura work showing flowers an birds on the walls of the Diwan-i Am, Delhi Fort. is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This panel is one of seven remaining fragments of a pietra‑dura inlay that once adorned the walls of the Diwan‑i‑Am, the great audience hall of Delhi Fort. Executed in 1845, the piece presents a decorative arrangement of flowers and birds set within a geometric framework, contributing to the larger ornamental program that covered the hall’s interior surfaces.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif features a heart‑shaped vase holding three distinct floral forms: pristine white lilies, a pale star‑shaped blossom, and a darker, partially wilted bud. Green foliage, interspersed with a few purple‑tinged leaves, surrounds the vase, while small avian figures are positioned among the blossoms, suggesting a celebration of natural abundance within a courtly setting.

Technique & Style

Created using the pietra‑dura method, the work combines finely cut stone and semi‑precious materials to achieve a painted‑like surface. The composition balances naturalistic rendering of the flowers and birds with the strict geometric borders characteristic of the technique, allowing the vivid colors to stand out against a dark background and a frame edged with miniature floral motifs.

History & Provenance

The inlay was installed in the Diwan‑i‑Am during the mid‑19th century, a period when Mughal‑influenced decorative arts were still being produced under British patronage. Of the original series, only seven sections survive; this fragment remains in situ at Delhi Fort, preserving its original architectural context and offering insight into the hall’s historic visual program.