Jali

Object Details

• School/Tradition

  Mughal school

• Label

  Pierced-stone window screens called jalis are integral componets of Mughal architecture. Both functional and ornamental, they maintain privacy, protect against the sun, and allow for the circulation of air. Their highly intricate designs, including both floral and geometric motifs, become even more apparent by the ever-changing shadows they cast as light passes through them. The dense and tightly arranged floral motifs of this jali are characteristic of the finest architectural decoration of Shah-Jahan's reign. Similar white marble screens also adorn the Taj Mahal. This pierced stone screen probably formed part of a railing.

• Provenance

  ?-1990

  John Lawrence Fine Arts, Inc., London, England, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1990

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, purchased from John Lawrence Fine Arts, Inc. [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See invoice from John Lawrence Fine Arts, Inc., issued by John R. Alderman, dated August 8, 1990, copy in object file. Object is described as “A White marble Jali, the Center Pierced in a Foliate Design.”

  John Lawrence Fine Arts, Inc., was a dealer in London, England specialized in the sale of Indian and Islamic art. The company was founded by Mark Zebrowski (1945-1999) and John Robert Alderman, who were American dealers and collectors. John Lawrence Fine Arts was active in the mid-1980s and 1990s and successfully placed works in the collection of the British Museum; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; San Diego Museum of Art. Alderman was also known as John R. Alderman, Robert Alderman, and Bob Alderman.

  [2] See “Incoming Receipt,” dated August 20, 1990, copy in object file. The object was transferred from John Lawrence Fine Arts, Inc. to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for acquisition consideration on August 20, 1990.

  See also Arthur M. Sackler, “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approved on October 8, 1990, copy in object file.

  Research updated June 21, 2023

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  East of Eden: Gardens in Asian Art (February 24 to May 13, 2007)

  Gyroscope (July 19, 2004 to July 24, 2005)

  The Jewel and the Rose: Art of Shah Jahan (May 4, 1997 to January 25, 1998)

  Arts of Mughal India (1992) (May 24 to December 6, 1992)

• Previous custodian or owner

  John Lawrence Fine Arts, Inc. (active mid-1980s-1990s)

• Origin

  India

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds

• Type

  Architectural Element

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1600s, 1690s

• Name

  John Lawrence Fine Arts, Inc.

• Place

  India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Mughal dynasty (1526 - 1858), Stone

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Architectural elements