What is Makrana marble?

Makrana marble is a high-quality white marble quarried in Makrana, Rajasthan, India. It is world-famous for its exceptional purity (98% calcite), non-porous density, and luminous white color. It is the same marble used to build the Taj Mahal.

What products does Carved by Makrana offer?

Carved by Makrana offers bespoke hand-carved marble products including fireplaces, fountains, washbasins, home temples (mandirs), jali lattice screens, Pietra Dura inlay work, 3D wall panels, and architectural sculptures — all quarried and carved from authentic Makrana marble.

Do you ship Makrana marble products internationally?

Yes. Carved by Makrana ships worldwide. We manage all packaging, export documentation, and logistics from our workshop in Makrana, Rajasthan, India to clients across the UAE, UK, USA, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

How long does a bespoke Makrana marble commission take?

Lead times typically range from 6 to 24 weeks depending on the complexity, size, and carving detail of the commission. Simple products like washbasins and bowls are typically completed in 4–6 weeks, while complex pieces like home temples or large fountains may take 12–24 weeks.

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Pietra Dura: The Meticulous Craft of Marble Inlay

Referred to across the Indian subcontinent as Parchin Kari, Pietra Dura is the incredibly meticulous, centuries-perfected art of inlaying highly polished, intensely colored semi-precious stones directly onto a stone base to create images, patterns, and decorative compositions of startling beauty and depth. It is, in its most precise definition, painting without paint.

Lapis lazuli being inlaid into white marble by a craftsman

The European Origin and Mughal Transformation

The Italian term Pietra Dura ("hard stone") was originally applied to the technique as it evolved in Renaissance-era Florence. It was, however, under Shah Jahan—who commissioned the Taj Mahal—that the art reached its absolute peak.

The Process of Perfection: How Parchin Kari is Made

The execution of true Pietra Dura demands profound patience, exceptionally keen eyesight, and precision:

1. Selection of Canvas: A flawless slab of white albeta Makrana marble is selected and polished to a mirror finish.
2. Design Preparation: The pattern is drawn to precise scale and transferred onto the marble surface.
3. Sourcing the Color Palette: Artisans source semi-precious stones from around the world—lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian, black onyx, yellow jasper, red coral, and mother-of-pearl.
4. Cutting the Tesserae: Using traditional bow saws strung with copper wire, the hard semi-precious stones are cut into minute shapes.
5. The Trenching: The precise outlines are scribed directly onto the white marble base, which is then meticulously chiseled away.
6. The Union: Each tessera is placed into its corresponding trench and set with a specialized hard-setting adhesive.

Modern Applications: Hidden Luxury in Contemporary Interiors

Dining Table Tops: A stark, minimalist white marble dining table revealing intricate geometric mandala inlay.
Console Tables & Sideboard Tops: Delicate floral inlay borders frame the perimeter.
Floor Medallions: An inlaid pietra dura medallion set into the center of an entrance hall's marble floor.
Wall Panels: Individually commissioned panels as wall-hung artworks.

It is the ultimate expression of hidden luxury—rewarding the keen observer with breathtaking, tactile detail.