Furniture and objects inlaid with mother of pearl make for wonderful statement pieces and add a luxurious, opulent quality without being too over the top. This ancient art which can be traced back to ancient civilizations where it flourished in India, is seeing a come back.

The intricate art of inlaying Mother of pearl was produced by craftsmen in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Visahapattan to embellish thrones and doors at royal courts and temples. The famous lake city of Udaipur, in the dessert of Rajasthan is today an important center for inlay work creating some of the finest work in the country.

The art of inlaying mother of pearl into the furniture is achieved by the same methods as hundreds of years ago. This is a craft that has been handed down through generations of craftsmen. Each gorgeous and delicate mother of pearl fragment has been carefully hand selected, shaped and polished to fit perfectly with the piece – Pilgrimage Spaces

I love how this old traditional art is being kept alive and when you begin to realise the amount of time and care that is involved, you really appreciate the item that much more.

Mother of pearl inlay furniture can work with so many different interiors. Although more akin to eclectic and bohemian spaces, it works just as beautifully in clean, contemporary and Scandi rooms as well as more classic homes. The options are endless, I’ve put together some inspiration to showcase a few different looks.

To get your hands on some of these beauties, hop over to local online store, Pilgrimage Spaces. They have some gorgeous mirrors, consoles and bedside tables available which they source directly from artisans in the Rajasthan region. This Mehrab mirror is my fave!

Image credits: Photo by Alyssa Rosenheck via My Domaine | Annabelle Gfeller | Jenny Wolf Interior via Style Estate | Gallerie B Interiors |  Rapsodia | Elle Decor | Studio McGee | Pilgrimage Spaces

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