Pietra dura (2) ... by KarmaSong

Photography • Historical • posted on Oct 04, 2014

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

This is the mausoleum of I'timad-ud-Daulah, built between 1622 and 1628, in the memory of Mirza Ghias Beg, the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal - Emperor Shah Jahan's wife, for whom the Taj Mahal was dedicated.The 'pietra dura' technique here combines white marble with an extensive use of rare and semi precious stones of all hues and shades, such as agate, carnelian, garnet, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, opal, onyx and turquoise. The red sandstone platform has bands of highly stylized floral patterns and creepers. The Taj Mahal is much bigger and more impressive, but I'timad-ud-Daulah is certainly more richly and abundantly decorated than the Taj- this may be why it is also called ' the jewel box' in India....

... Thank you very much for your comments on my last capture. Please zoom in on this one and have a very sunny and artistic week-end .