The Beauty of India's Historic Visual Arts and Jewelry are Reproduced at The Met Museum Shop in NYC. + Shrimp Scampi

One brass object in the Met Museum’s Collection of Indian Art is this graceful parrot, delicately perched on one leg from the late 18th century. It may have been used as a finial.

ART

SHOPPING

India's Art

Embodies

A Rich Culture

India's Fabulous Past is Partially Represented in America Through the Many Great Indian Masterpieces of Art and Jewelry in the Permanent Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

In this issue we take you on a tour of great and precious pieces of Indian jewelry and art, via reproductions available, in various forms, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Gift Shop. (These pieces can be purchased at the Met Museum Shop, 1000 5th Ave. @ 82nd St., NYC 10028 or online at http://store.metmuseum.org/search?q=Mughal or by phone at (800) 468-7386.)

Mughal King of Elephants Plate

Within the Museum’s collection is a beautifully illustrated album leaf, meticulously painted in opaque watercolor and gold on paper, depicting a magnificent elephant ridden by a mahout. A Persian inscription identifies the image as a “picture of ‘Alam-guman Gajraj (the arrogant one of the earth, king of elephants) whose value is one lakh rupees,” or one hundred thousand rupees. The majestic plate is based on the original painting.

Glass. For decorative use only. 8 1/2''L x 12 1/2''W. Item# 80-010892

Price:	$50.00
Member Price:	$45.00

Mughal Elephant Plate

In the Museum’s collection is a sumptuously illustrated album leaf (sixteenth–seventeenth century) by Khem Karan (Indian, 1556–1605) in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. The glass plate is based on this striking image of a richly dressed prince riding an elephant outfitted with decorative trappings.

Glass. For decorative use only. 4''L x 6''W. Item# 80-010899

Price:	$20.00
Member Price:	$18.00

Mughal Elephant Mugs

In the Museum’s collection is a sumptuously illustrated album leaf (16th–17th century) by artist Khem Karan in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. These porcelain mugs are based on this striking image of a richly dressed prince riding an elephant outfitted with decorative trappings.

Includes 2 mugs. Porcelain, with decal application. Gift boxed. Dishwasher and microwave safe. 12 oz. each. 4'' diam. x 3 1/4''H each. Item# 80-010978

Price:	$40.00
Member Price:	$36.00

Mughal Buti Print Jacket

The repeating buti (small floral discs or circles) on this jacket are typical of those seen on splendid Mughal-period textiles in the Museum’s collection. Royal support for court painters, architects, weavers, and goldsmiths led to the development of a distinctive and unified Mughal style, which was characterized in the decorative arts by a wealth of floral motifs, rich colors, and fine workmanship.

Available in small, medium, and large. Mandarin collar, button closure, boxy silhouette, hits at hip, 3''L side slits, long sleeves. Cotton. Quilted contrast-pattern lining. Imported. Hand wash.

Size Chart:  

Small (4–6) Item # 80-007981 

Medium (8–10) Item # 80-007982 

Large (12–14) Item # 80-007983

Price:	$160.00
Member Price:	$144.00

Mughal Peacock Watch

The Mughal Peacock Watch was inspired by a superbly painted portrait of the future emperor Shah Jahan and his son from the period of Jahangir in the Museum’s collection. The sumptuousness of court life is conveyed in the detailed depiction of the jewels they are admiring, the gilded furniture, the textiles, and, most spectacularly, the large bolster with its designs of figures and plants. The composition is further enhanced by the splendid border containing flowering plants and birds, including partridges, cranes, and the peacocks seen on this watch.

18K gold overlay case, with a stainless steel back. Matte finish. Leather band. Quartz movement. Band: adjusts from 6 1/2''L to 7 3/4"L; Case: 1 1/4''W. Water resistant case. Item# 80-003143

Price:	$95.00
Member Price:	$85.50

Mughal Elephant Correspondence Cards

In the Museum’s collection is a sumptuously illustrated album leaf (sixteenth–seventeenth century) by Khem Karan (Indian, 1556–1605) in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. It displays an image of a regally dressed prince riding an elephant, which has been adapted for our cards. The cards are based on this striking image of a richly dressed prince riding an elephant outfitted with decorative trappings.

25 gold-embossed white correspondence cards and 25 white envelopes per box. 6 1/4'' x 4 7/8''. Item# 80-010997

Price:	$24.95
Member Price:	$22.45

Mughal Carpet Ballpoint Pen

The Mughal Carpet Ballpoint Pen is adapted from a luxurious carpet in the Museum’s collection. This carpet features a floral pattern similar to Persian designs. However, the precision of the stemmed plants on the border is a mark of Indian achievement.

Ballpoint, black ink, medium point type, 1mm tip. Twist action. Brass barrel and clip with printed lacquer and silver overlay. 5 1/4''L. Gift boxed.

Refillable. Uses Schmidt P900 or standard Parker refill. Item# 80-007608

Price:	$35.00
Member Price:	$31.50

Mughal Jeweled Rosette Cuff

This Mughal Jeweled Rosette Cuff is based on the dazzling precious stone–bedecked centerpiece from a 17th-century gold bazuband (armlet) from northern India, which was later made into a brooch.

24k gold overlay, with glass pearls, glass rubies, glass crystals, green onyx, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. 1 3/8''W. 7'' inner circ. Box-and-tongue closure. 

Item# 80-011437

Price:	$225.00 $90.00
Member Price:	$202.50 $81.00

Mughal Jeweled Rosette Pin

This Mughal Jeweled Rosette Pin is based on the dazzling precious stone–bedecked centerpiece from a 17th-century gold bazuband (armlet) from northern India, which was later made into a brooch.

24k gold overlay, with glass pearls, glass rubies, glass crystals, green onyx, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. 2 1/2''L. Item# 80-011436

Price:	$150.00 $60.00
Member Price:	$135.00 $54.00

Mughal Fringe Necklace

The Museum’s collection houses a late Mughal galaband, or choker. Fabricated in gold with precious stones, pearls, and glass, the necklace features a fringe of leaf-shaped drops tipped with pearls and enamel. This ornate piece is the source for our exquisite necklace.

24K gold overlay, with cultured freshwater pearls, green onxy stones, and colored glass cabachons. Lobster claw closure. Adjusts from 16" to 18" with extender chain. Item# 80-011435

Price:	$195.00 $97.50
Member Price:	$175.50 $87.75

Indian Golden Berry Necklace

For over five thousand years, India’s jewelry craftsmen have drawn upon the rich sources of gold and gems throughout their land. Gold and silver, the quintessential metals of Indian jewelry, are worked in various techniques including granulation, filigree, thewa work (a fused appliqué process), and kundan (an inlay process). In the Museum’s collection is an Indian necklace (18th–19th century) in the form of a circle of uniform gold beads, each pendant attached by a tiny flower, probably representing the flower and berry of the evergreen mulsari. Our stunning necklace adapts the berry-shaped pendants of this original gold piece.

22K gold overlay. Matte finish. Toggle closure. 18''L. Item# 80-011407

Price:	$225.00
Member Price:	$202.50

Indian Golden-Bead Multi-Strand Necklace

The striking necklace is adapted from an Indian original from the eighteenth–nineteenth century in the Museum's collection featuring five graduated strings of close-strung, multi-faceted gold beads.

22K gold overlay. Matte finish. Hook and eye closure. 17 1/4''L. Item# 09-009796

Price:	$295.00
Member Price:	$265.50

Indian Bead Cluster Necklace

Gold and silver, the quintessential metals of Indian jewelry, are worked in various techniques including granulation, filigree, thewa work (a fused appliqué process) and kundan (an inlay process). In the Museum’s collection is a gold ankle bracelet, probably made in Central India, adorned with tight rows of large and small gold beads. The original would have created a lively, jangling sound as the wearer moved. The Met's designers have adapted the clustered beads of the original anklet transforming them into this lustrous Indian Bead Cluster Necklace.

22K gold overlay. Matte finish. Lobster claw closure. 18''L with a 3'' extender chain. Item# 80-011378

Price:	$150.00
Member Price:	$135.00

South Indian Pendant Necklace

The Museum’s collection includes a sumptuous necklace (17th–19th century), from Southern India, which has double rows of gold beads decorated with two small pendants and a larger, central teardrop-shaped pendant. This elegant necklace displays a variety of traditional gold-working techniques. 

22K gold overlay, hand enameled, with lapis beads. Hook and eye closure. 18 1/2''L; removable pendant: 2''L x 1 1/2''W. Item# 80-018101

Price:	$150.00
Member Price:	$135.00

Wonder of the Age: Master Painters of India, 1100-1900

By John Guy and Jorrit Britschgi

Traditionally, Indian paintings have been classified according to regional styles or dynastic periods, with an emphasis on subject matter and narrative content. This fascinating publication counters the long-held view of the anonymity of Indian art, emphasizing the combined tools of connoisseurship and inscription evidence to reveal the identities of individual artists and their oeuvres through an analysis of style. Enchanting color illustrations highlight over one hundred works spanning eight centuries.

The introduction outlines the origins of early Indian painting in the first millennium, which set the scene for the development of the art of the book. The chapters that follow examine manuscript painting as it developed from palm leaf to paper; the Sultanate and North Indian Hindu tradition; the Mughal school under the patronage of emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan; the renaissance of the Hindu courts from 1650 to 1730; the later styles of the Punjab Hill and Rajasthani courts; Company School painting; and the coming of photography. Each chapter features a summary of the period and biographical essays of specific artists followed by a selection of their works. The eminent artists chosen are among the greatest in the history of Indian painting. Each could lay claim to the honorific bestowed by emperors on their favorite painters: Nadirai-i-zaman, "the wonder of the age."

224 pages, 155 full-color illustrations. 9 1/4'' x 10 1/2''. Hardcover; clothbound, with jacket. Item# 80-012412

Price:	$45.00
Member Price:	$40.50

Dancing Celestial Sculpture

In the Museum’s collection is an early twelfth-century Indian dancing celestial figure that is crisply carved in sandstone. The sculptor has twisted the figure into an extraordinary pose that captures the essence of her dance. Her swaying jewelry emphasizes her movement and contrasts pleasingly with her rounded body. Images of dancing semi-divine attendants often appear on the outer walls of Hindu temples, placed near the figures of gods to honor the deity. This Dancing Celestial is based on the original figure.

Cast resin. Hand patinated. 22''H x 5 1/2''W x 10''D including base. Item# 80-010965

Price:	$395.00
Member Price:	$355.50

Figure of a Parrot Sculpture

Skilled metalworkers in India have for centuries created courtly objects of distinction in a variety of styles, materials, and techniques. One such brass object in the Museum’s collection is in the shape of a graceful parrot (Indian, late 18th century), delicately perched on one leg, which may have been used as a finial. This delightful parrot figure, crafted of hand-patinated bonded bronze, is based on the original brass parrot.

Bonded bronze. Hand patinated. 9''H x 11''L x 3''W including base. Item# 80-010982 (Temporarily Backordered)

Price:	$375.00
Member Price:	$337.50

Mughal Medallion Necklace

The exquisite necklace is based on an eighteenth–nineteenth century jadanagam (hair ornament), probably from Madras. The original, made of gold inset with precious stones, consists of 12 graduated discs ending with a bead-and-tassel pendant.

22K matte gold overlay, hand enameled, with glass cabochons. Lobster claw closure. Adjusts from 15'' to 18''L with extender chain. 

Item# 80-011409

Price:	$245.00 $98.00
Member Price:	$220.50 $88.20

Source: http://store.metmuseum.org/search?q=Mughal

FOOD

Shrimp Scampi 

Served over Linguine

Ingredients

3/4 pound linguine

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 lemon, zest grated

2 lemons: squeeze out the lemon juice 

1/4 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds

1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt

1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

-Cook linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package.

- In a 12-inch pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. 

- Add the garlic. 

- Sauté for 1 minute. 

- Add the shrimp, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and sauté until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often. 

- Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices, and red pepper flakes. 

- Toss to combine.

Drain the cooked linguine and put a mound on each plate. Immediately spoon over the shrimp and sauce.

Serve.

(Source: From Atkinson Family Cookbook)

Until Later

Jack

ARTSnFOOD, is an online publication dedicated to "The Pursuit of Happiness through the Arts and Food." ™ All rights reserved for all content. Concept, Original Art, Original Text & "Original or Assigned Photography" are © Copyright 2014 Jack A. Atkinson under all International intellectual property and copyright laws. All photographs were taken and/or used with permission. Artworks © individual artists, fabricators, respective owners or assignees.