Testimonials

Testimonial from Krystal Holland

Krystal Holland, USA
July 2024

We have received the art piece we bought while in Agra and are extreme...Read more

Testimonial from Rolf Knechtli

Rolf Knechtli, Switzerland
July 2024

Hello Salim Uddin, I am very pleased and happy to have purchased this ...Read more

Testimonial from Shah Sejal Dipesh

Shah Sejal Dipesh, Kenya
June 2024

It’s beautiful hand crafted and exactly what we wanted. Thank you....Read more

Testimonial from Ronald Goldberg

Ronald Goldberg, USA
June 2024

The workmanship and artistry of the piece are amazingly detailed and o...Read more

Testimonial from Christopher J. Morl

Christopher J. Morl, USA
June 2024

Attached are two photos of the table; which arrived in great condition...Read more

Testimonial from Karen Lawton

Karen Lawton, United Kingdom
May 2024

...Read more

Testimonial from Letha Hammon

Letha Hammon, USA
May 2024

Good morning! Our lazy susan arrived Friday, days earlier than expect...Read more

Testimonial from Carla Greenspan

Carla Greenspan, USA
April 2024

...Read more

Testimonial from Janet Gold

Janet Gold, United Kingdom
April 2024

Hi Salim, It's arrived! All Good: Fantastic Packaging and "wall hangi...Read more

Testimonial from Joly Fichtner

Joly Fichtner, Belgium
April 2024

We received our table which is very beautiful. I send you a photo of o...Read more

Testimonial from Michael Campbell

Michael Campbell, USA
April 2024

Yes!!! Thank you Mr. Uddin and team!...Read more

Testimonial from Elizabeth Dumbelton

Elizabeth Dumbelton, United Kingdom
March 2024

Thank you my order arrived safely today!  ...Read more

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History of the art of marble inlay in India, the art of the magnificent, everlasting Taj Mahal!

History of marble inlay, Shah Jahan and Mughal architecture

The art of marble inlay in India, its Persian name being PARCHINKARI, is in full flourish and perfection in Agra. It was introduced by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in India during the 17th century. It is the inlay of semi-precious stones like blue lapis lazuli, green malachite, red carnelian, sky blue turquoise, yellow or brown amber, multi-colored mother-of-pearl, rainbow colored paua shell, all types of Italian agate and many more stones on hard marble surfaces.

Shah Jahan, his name meaning “King of the World” in Persian, was one of the most iconic Mughal rulers. His reign is regarded as the Golden Age of the Mughal Empire in India. He was as politically ambitious as his predecessors but also had a very keen interest in architecture and design. Unlike other Mughal rulers, history says that he used to work very closely with his architects and designers in the creation of the buildings he commissioned during his reign. That is probably the reason why, architecture during his reign is regarded as the peak of Mughal architecture in India. It includes monuments such as the jewel of India- The Taj Mahal in Agra and The Red Fort in Delhi. He also built one of the biggest and one the most beautiful mosques in the world, The Jama Masjid, in Delhi and many more!

Current Scenario of Pietra Dura and Parchinkari

This art of marble inlay in Agra is still alive and thrives in "The City of Taj", as it is nicknamed. The marble inlay artists in the city of Agra today, many of whom are 6th or 7th generation artists of the descendants of the people who worked on The Taj, live in an area of the city called The Taj Ganj. This area is just next to The Taj itself. The Persian word "Ganj" means treasured place or neighborhood. So, it is a very fortunate turn of events that these artists live and still create this marble inlay art in the same place as their ancestors who worked on The Taj lived.

Agra marble handicraft variety

Due to the yearly growth in tourism, marble inlay stores in Agra are spread all over the city now. The variety of products offered is immense and anything and everything is made in marble inlay and marble handicrafts. The most sought-after products are marble table tops, marble coffee table tops for living rooms, dining rooms, gardens and patios. The range of marble inlay in Agra on offer is immense now and it doesn"t end with just marble inlay table tops. It includes marble kitchen tops, marble inlay vases, marble inlay bowls, marble inlay trays, marble inlay plates, white marble coasters, marble idols, marble Hindu deities and marble Buddha statues, marble Ganesh idols, marble kitchenware including marble cheese boards in plain, minimalist marble or incorporated with wood, brass, metal or even resin, marble platters, marble cake stands, marble cutlery, marble cutlery holders, marble serving trays, marble coasters, marble wall hangings, marble backsplash, marble sinks,entire marble bathrooms, marble shelf, marble wall accent, marble planters and many, many more!

We, at Akbar International, our marble Inlay store in Agra, create all and everything imagined. Anything that can be carved out and constructed in marble, we can make it!

We have long term relationships with marble handicrafts stores in USA and have been furnishing them as we are one of the leading marble handicrafts manufacturers in Agra.

Such is the beauty of Marble Inlay/Pietra Dura table tops and handicrafts, their charm, their malleability, that they are evergreen, luxurious yet affordable and add class to any décor setting.

Shop by category

Shop by your Style

ClassicWe at Akbar International are experts in inlay work inspired from the Italian Pietra-Dura. The semi-precious stones are inlaid in cavities chiseled into marble of different colors depicting flora and fauna in designs that have been passed down through generations. Our classic collection is a salute to traditional inlay work and we invite you to discover it here.

ModernWhile steeped in the old inlay tradition, we do keep up with the times with our geometric patterns inspired modern collection. Geometric patterns can be seen on the Taj Mahal floor and they are the inspiration for a majority of our modern designs. Sometimes, inlaying is not required at all as the shape of the product is an inspiration in itself.

White MarbleWe use the same marble used in making The Taj Mahal! It is a dense, high strength marble that is found with natural variations in color. But we at Akbar like our marble pure white with as little natural inclusions as possible. The true colors of the semi-precious stones emerge on the plain white canvas of the Makrana marble in our white collection.

Black MarbleEver the color of mystery, our black marble collection will surely blend in flawlessly with your darker furnishings. Dark marble best showcases iridescent mother-of-pearl and paua shell. You will therefore find contrasting semi-precious stone colors in this collection which are sure to elevate your home decor to the next level.

Green MarbleOur floral inlay patterns made of semi-precious and hard Italian stones inspired by Italian pietra dura designs, adorn our green marble sourced from the south of India.

Beige MarbleBeige marble comes from the same mines as the white marble. It is very rare. To find a slab of marble, that is an even beige color, is even rarer. But we, at Akbar, are upto the challenge and have produced gorgeous masterpieces using this beautiful sunset orange marble for your home.

Wildlife themedOur planet is gorgeous and the life it sustains can be immensely inspiring. So we have taken inspiration from some adorable, some fierce and some majestic animals and inlaid their likeness in marble for you. So now you can have this peacock pair always sitting at your coffee table for you to admire.

Taj Mahal SouvenirsSometimes India and The Taj Mahal are synonymous. Our Taj collection ensures that you have a souvenir of this gorgeous wonder of the world as a memory of your trip here.

The Minimalist CollectionWe bring you this collection of marble products that showcase the beauty of marble in its purest form. No inlays to distract you, just the white, black, green marble displaying its beauty with all the natural veins and inclusions.

Mother-of-Pearl CreationsMother-of-pearl is the shell that is left behind after the pearl has been extracted. It is also called nacre and is a material that captures all the colors of the rainbow. It glows and shimmers and is smooth as silk to the touch. So why not have this natural chandelier at home to see light come alive.

We customise too..

We put your designs on products that you need. So, let us discuss what part of your imagination we can immortalize into stone.

See how ⟩
Main lobby: White Makrana marble floor inlaid with semi-precious stones. Size: 15ft x 11ft
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Free shipping!

With exclusive price tie ups with prominent courier companies like DHL and FedEx, we ensure a smooth delivery of your masterpiece to your doorstep free of cost!
(Applicable in certain regions of the world only. Please click here to check if your shipping destination qualifies)

100% genuine stones

All our semi precious stones go through a rigorous process of selection so be assured that you are getting a genuine product.

100% hand-crafted

Following the same methods that built The Taj, we honor the tradition of hand crafting every single one of our products with love and care.

Completely customisable

No matter the requirement, be it a custom tabletop, marble sofa or inlaid floor, we will work with you all the way through to realize your dream project.

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