Mughal Miniature Wall Plate by Master Artisan Ravi Kumawat SIZE: 7 inch (diameter)

MEDIUM: Natural Colours on Handmade plate mounted on a Wooden base.

MAKING OF THE PLATE: The base plate is a cotton canvas pasted onto a moulded plate using tamarind paste. A mixture of chalk powder and multani mitti is applied, dried, and smoothened with stone for a polished canvas. To prevent insect damage we use crushed neem leaves. With multiple layers of coating, drying, and finishing, the complete plate-making process spans three full days.

NATURAL COLOURS: This hand-painted plate uses traditional natural pigments. The soft green background comes from Hara Bhata mixed with white  made from limestone. The bird’s red head is Hinglu/Sindur, its golden-yellow body is Ramraj/Pili Mitti with white, and its wings blend Hinglu and Ramraj. The beak is grey (black + white), the tree bark mixes black, red, and yellow, and the leaves are Hara Bhata. A gold border adds the final touch. Each color undergoes a meticulous elaborate process of sourcing natural materials, cleaning, crushing, mixing with water and adding adhesives.