Indian Pietra Dura Panel with Floral Motif

A five-petaled flower in coral, set into the dark.

This pietra dura panel with a floral motif was made in Rajasthan, India, in the 20th century, in marble. The inlay technique, in which cut stones are set flush into stone, is commonly associated with Mughal-era work in India. A coral-pink bloom with a dark red center rises on a green stem, with a pale leaf on one side and a lower bud with red tip. The black ground is bordered by a narrow cream line. The stone is polished and flat.

About fifteen inches square. Hang it with its mate, or let it work alone.