Handicrafts of Rajasthan travel guide

Stone

Makrana marble

Pottery

Jaipur blue pottery; Nathdwara terracotta

Jewellery

Meenakari (Jaipur), Thewa (Pratapgarh)

Textiles

Kota Doria, Sanganeri and Dabu prints, Bandhej

Stone carving and sculpture

The state has abundant building stone in red, pink and white, along with granite and slate, and these materials shaped its sculpture over many centuries. Marble from Makrana, the quarry that supplied the Taj Mahal, is still carved into statues, inlay panels and household pieces.

Terracotta and blue pottery

Baked-clay toys, figures and votive pieces are made in many villages, with the area around Nathdwara especially known for terracotta. Jaipur's blue pottery, with its cobalt-blue patterns on a white base, draws on Persian and Central Asian influences. It nearly died out in the mid-20th century before a revival brought it back, and it is now one of the city's most popular souvenirs.

Meenakari

Meenakari is the art of enamelling metal, usually gold or silver, with bright colours. It is said to have come from Persia and to have been brought to Rajasthan in the Mughal period under Raja Man Singh of Amber. Jaipur remains the main centre for Meenakari jewellery and objects. Good pieces are often enamelled on the reverse as well as the front, which is one sign of careful work.

Textiles and other crafts

Rajasthan's textile traditions could fill a trip on their own.

• Kota Doria, a light, chequered cotton-silk weave
• Sanganeri and Dabu hand-block prints
• Bandhej tie-and-dye and zari work
• Jaipuri quilts and appliqué
• Thewa, gold work fused on coloured glass, from Pratapgarh
• Lac bangles, Usta gold-painted camel-hide work, mats and carpets

Buying tips

Buy from artisans or government emporiums where you can, and ask how a piece was made. Hand-block prints show slight variations, while screen prints look perfectly even. We can arrange workshop visits in and around Jaipur as part of a Rajasthan tour.

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