 Reference Base  Indian art at Delhi 1903: being the official catalogue of... |
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Watt, G., 1904. Indian art at Delhi 1903: being the official catalogue of the Delhi exhibition 1902-1903. London, John Murray
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Value |
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Asian Rhino Species |
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India - shields. One of the most artistic articles made of skin may be said to be the carved rhinoceros-hide shields, boxes, etc. that are produced at Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda and Kach. An example is hown on plate no. 43-B. The designs most generally used are panels showing intricate and elaborate carving after the windows of the Said Sibi Mosque, with dividing and elevated gilded lines between the panels, or the designs are bold floral scrolls derived most probably from the rose and run round the shield as a broad border pattern without any dividing lines.
Instead of being carved the skin is sometimes so carefully cured as to become almost transparent. Large shields without a flaw or discoloration and pale amber colkoured are very expensive and accordingly are often richly jewelled. The sample shown on plate 43-B, lent by His Highness the Maharana of Udaipur, has emerald bosses. A large assortment of such shields will be found in the Loan Collection gallery, many of them not only trimphs of the skin-curer's art but of the jeweller's skill.
idem p. 482
Rajputana and Central India. His Highness the Maharawat ofg Pertabgarh and His Highness the Maharao of Mewar (Udaipur) show rhinoceros hide shields richly ornamented with jewelled bosses.
Bombay. His Highness the Maharao of Kach and His Highness the Maharaja Gaekwar of Baroda as also the State Museum of Baroda have contributed carved rhinoceros shields.
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