The Amrapali Museum in Jaipur is a unique repository of India’s extraordinary silver-crafting finds Varun Rana
At first, I mistake it for a grand haveli. But Amrapali’s corporate headquarters on Jaipur’s Ashok Road—about 15 minutes from the historic jewellery hub of Johri Bazaar—is an apt location for this silver jewellery business, founded a mere 40 years ago in the heart of India’s precious gemstone capital. And in this building, there are treasures that any haveli, or even a palace, could only dream of hoarding.
Once inside its tall, peacock-filigreed gates, I’m greeted by an imposing silver-plated chariot, displayed against a vivid red wall to my right. To my left, a spiral marble staircase leads up to the showroom from where a global empire of silver, and now even gold and gems, is managed.
But today, a sunny summer morning, I’m not going upstairs. My destination lies right in front of the gates I’ve just walked through. A small white door opens into a darkened hall. A flat-screen TV is playing interviews with Rajiv Arora and Rajesh Ajmera, Amrapali’s intrepid founders, who scoured the country in their trusty Maruti 800 through the ’70s and ’80s to collect silver (and some gold) artefacts that eventually led to the founding of their label in 1978—and in January this year, they opened the Amrapali Museum.
This story is from the April 2017 edition of Elle India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2017 edition of Elle India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Indu Antony And The Gentle Art Of Feminism
In an unfiltered conversation with Akshaya Pillai, the multidisciplinary artist lays out a manifesto for a creative life
Taapsee Pannu: A True Original
The actor in conversation with Ainee Nizami Ahmedi on the roles that shape her on & off screen
Canvas Chronicles
The rise of art-cations is elevating conventional vacations into a therapeutic medium of catharsis and transformation for the soul, finds Hasina Jeelani
A FEAST For The EYES
What goes into making a dish that looks like a masterpiece? Notable chefs take Isha Mayer through the art of plating
Yala's Hidden Gem
Zoha Castelino visits the Hilton Yala Resort, where elegance meets nature
The New Wave
Barry Rodgers on the artists to have on your radar, as recommended by gallerists
Tracing Tattoo Trails
Sakshi Rawte on the developing relationship between crossing continents and lines of ink
Sculpted In Time
2022 Venice Biennale's youngest artist, Niyamat Mehta, takes Geetika Sachdev through her art journey
Crafting His Narrative
Yuvraj Menda in conversation with Ipsita Kaul on his much-talked-about debut and his enduring love for Home Alone
Can't Stop Blushin'
This cult-favourite product has taken over our beauty shelves, and we're not complaining, reports Urmi Dande