Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Traditional gold-encrusted Indian paintings 'popular again'

Traditional gold-encrusted Indian paintings 'popular again'

Tuesday, 6th October 2009

Indian consumers and collectors are increasingly turning their attention back to a special form of painting that involves the use of gold and originated in the days of dynastic rule.

According to the Hindu, the Tanjore and Mysore forms of painting are making a comeback as collectors become more interested in the investment value of such pieces and consumers look for unique artistic depictions of gods and goddesses to display in their homes.

These art forms typically involve detailed paintings of deities such as Krishna, Ganesh, Shiva and Lakshmi and are encrusted with 22-c and 24-c gold sheets and decorations.

They first sprang up in Thanjavur in southern India - which was the capital of the Chola empire between the 11th and 13th centuries - and were seen in regal palaces and temples throughout the region.

Paintings using these techniques typically require teams of several experts to create complete pieces.

"I have a growing market for Tanjore and Mysore paintings today and they are part of one's collectibles, the investment angle not withstanding," remarked G S Kirran, owner of Bangalore-based arts boutique Tarang.

Source from
info @ http://www.gold.org