Jali

Public Domain

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Images(2)

Artist Unknown

CultureIndian

Titles

Jali

Date1605–1627

MediumSandstone; carved and pierced

Dimensions49 5/8 × 37 × 3 3/8 in. (126 × 94 × 8.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Rania and Jamal Daniel

Object number2013.83

Current Location

The Caroline Wiess Law Building

113 Islamic Art Gallery

On view

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Department

Art of the Islamic Worlds

Object Type

BUILDING COMPONENT & ROOM ELEMENT

DescriptionCarved screens, called jalis, are used in Indian architecture as windows, room dividers, and railings around thrones, platforms, terraces, and balconies. The pierced openings allow light and air to enter the room while providing privacy and shade from the sun. This jali is carved on both sides and has an inscription, “Allah,” in naskh script on one side and a floral roundel on the other. Elaborate geometric and floral designs are characteristic decorative elements of Mughal architecture. This jali relates to contemporary screens found in Agra as well as the tomb complexes of Amir Khusrau, built in 1605 in Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi.
ProvenancePossibly Prince Boncompagni Ludovisi family; Private collection, Somerset, England since 1980s; [Francesca Galloway, London]; purchased by MFAH, 2013.
Exhibition History"Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 4–August 19, 2018.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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