The House of Sunita Shekhawat unveils the Museum of Meenakari Heritage (MOMH), a state-of-the-art permanent gallery that preserves and celebrates the rich tapestry of Meenakari. A long-nurtured dream of founder Sunita Shekhawat, this unique space is a manifestation of her vision and love for the art of enamelling. The museum is curated by the noted art historian Usha R Balakrishnan and designed by Siddhartha Das Studio. It pays tribute to the mastery and skill of countless artisans who have carried forward the ancient craft of enamelling through the centuries.

Sprawled over 3,000 sq ft, the gallery is located in the vicinity of Jaipur’s historic walled city. Over 300 images were obtained from more than 15 premier museums, private collections, art galleries, and auction houses worldwide, charting the nuanced history of enamelling from Renaissance Europe to its arrival in India. These include the British Museum, the V&A, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Al Thani Collection, the Aga Khan Museum, the Heritage, and Sotheby’s, to name a few. The House of Shekhawat produced over 120 reproductions, which serve as a priceless repository of archival motifs, styles, and oral histories related to the craft. The myriad forms of enamelling—such as cloisonné, champlevé, plique-à-jour, and basse-taille—are further explored through 60 original pieces by Sunita Shekhawat. These creations epitomise a confluence of traditional craft and the modern vibrancy the maison is known for.

The gallery is an ensemble of pieces that shed light on various regions and epochs. This experience is only heightened by the artisan’s virtuosity that takes centre stage, highlighting the skill, patience, and vision that goes into enamelling. Sunita Shekhawat is one of the remaining jewellery houses championing authentic Indian craftsmanship. Age-old techniques, once pioneered by Jaipur’s medieval elites and celebrated globally, continue to form the backbone of the atelier. Indeed, revival is at the heart of each piece.

The gallery preserves both the process and spirit of enamelling. Acting as a node for disseminating knowledge about the craft, MOMH will continue to grow through organic collaborations and creative innovation.

Inaugurated by Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, the brand has become synonymous with modern enamelling, with flagship stores in New Delhi and Jaipur and a strong international presence. Enamelling is considered an artefact, given its essence, craftsmanship, and rich history. The challenge—and conversely, the strength—of the brand lies in maintaining an equilibrium between the old and the new without diluting the authenticity of the craft. As a reflection of these efforts, the brand has pushed forward the boundaries of enamelling, introducing a broad spectrum of colours and pioneering craft innovation. Since launching her brand over three decades ago, Sunita Shekhawat has become one of the most visionary artists in fine jewellery today.