In March 2024, Jaipur welcomed a striking new cultural institution named the Museum of Meenakari Heritage (MOMH). Behind its eclectic façade—blending Rajputana, Mughal, and Art Deco influences—lies a tribute to one of India’s most intricate and historic crafts: Meenakari. Once one of 36 royal craft ateliers that served the courts of Rajasthan, Meenakari now takes center stage in this dedicated space.
Founded by acclaimed jewelry designer Sunita Shekhawat, MOMH was established to honor the generations of artisans who have preserved this vibrant, enameled art form. Spanning over 3,000 square feet, the museum houses exquisite examples of objets d’art that reflect the evolution of Meenakari.
A Curated Collection at The Museum of Meenakari Heritage
Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur, Niharika Singh Shekhawat – Creative Director at Sunita
Shekhawat Jaipur & Sunita Shekhawat, Founder – Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur & MOMH
Earlier this month, on August 1, the museum’s first curated design offering, “Collectibles,” brought a contemporary lens to traditional craftsmanship. With this collection, the museum aims to introduce Meenakari to a global audience, fusing centuries-old skills with modern design. Crafted by master artisans, many of whom have inherited their skills through generations, the seven debut designs celebrate excellence in technique and storytelling.
Champlevé Techniques Reimagined
Priyanka Khanna – Writer, Priyanka Kapadia – Fashion Stylist,
Digvijay Singh Shekhawat – Design Director at Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur &
Sunita Shekhawat, Founder – Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur & MOMH
The Carnation enamel box showcases the rare Champlevé technique, available in two colorways: green and blue. A metal surface is carved with recessed cells, filled with enamel, and then fired. Inspired by Ottoman textiles, the box features a lattice of tulips and carnations in full bloom. Each piece takes nearly 18 months to complete. Traditionally accustomed to crafting fine jewelry, the artisans faced new technical challenges, designing custom kilns for heat control and developing specialized etching tools for larger surfaces.
A “Bougainvillea” Collection at MOMH
Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur, Niharika Singh Shekhawat – Creative Director at Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur & Sunita Shekhawat, Founder – Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur & MOMH
Priyanka Kapadia – Fashion Stylist
This box draws loose inspiration from the bougainvillea-filled gardens of Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. The flower, common throughout Indian households and landscapes, is elevated here to a near sacred status, rendered in gold, enamel, amethyst, emeralds, and diamonds. Crafted using plique-à-jour, a 14th-century French enameling technique that mimics stained glass, the piece captures light through translucent enamel suspended by fine gold veins. Achieving this level of botanical precision requires exceptional control of tension, wirework, and heat, skills honed only by master enamelers.
A Special Box for an Engagement
Aastha D – Writer, Manglien S. Gangte – Fashion Associate at Vogue, Nuriya Johar – Editor, AD
Small in size but monumental in craftsmanship, this circular engagement box features a palette of red, orange, green, and opaque white. Framed by delicate gold contours, it depicts iris blooms and fakhati birds in rich detail. Veteran craftsmen were challenged to new levels of precision for this intimate piece. The scale may be personal, but its impact is undeniably grand.
MOMH’s Prancing Horse Earrings
Inspired by a 17th century pendant once favored by Mughal emperor Jahangir, these earrings feature prancing horses in mid-motion. Made using the ronde-bosse technique—a 14th-century French innovation—each figure is enameled on all sides, with subtle gold accents peeking through. The layered enamel gives the forms a sculptural quality, making these earrings wearable relics of history and motion.
MOMH’s “Collectibles” Accessories
Rosella Stephen – Editor, The Hindu Group
Commissioned by Nita Ambani, this hairpin is another example of plique-à-jour craftsmanship. Each translucent enamel petal is framed in gold and diamonds, allowing light to pass through as if through stained glass. At the center rests a deep emerald. Hair ornaments have long symbolized beauty, power, and status in Indian culture. This piece transforms a fleeting element of nature into something timeless, an heirloom that honors India’s artistic legacy and its future.
A 22K gold Darpan vanity mirror gleams with emerald green basse-taille enamel, its surface etched with acanthus leaves and Mughal rosettes. While inspired by 17th-century European motifs, the mirror is deeply rooted in Indian courtly traditions. Scaled beyond the typical dimensions of miniature art, it demonstrates how traditional techniques can be adapted to create bold, functional works, preserving the craft while expanding its horizons.
From India to the World with Meenakari
Sunaina Anand – Founder and director of Art Alive Gallery
Malavika Shivakumar – Co-Founder of Vastrakala -Lesage Intérieurs
Sharan Apparao – founder and current director of Apparao Galleries
An enamel spoon was made, too, blending Champlevé and Partaash techniques, featuring etched floral patterns and birds along its surface. Adorned with uncut diamonds and rubies, it is both decorative and functional. No surface is left untouched, making it a masterclass in restraint and patience. For the artisans, the creation process was both a technical challenge and a transformative journey.
Collectibles by MOMH is more than a debut collection; it’s a declaration of intent. By bridging traditional Meenakari with global design motifs, it celebrates India’s rich craftsmanship while pushing its boundaries. Each piece tells a story of heritage, reinvention, and the human hand behind the art.
