Still Pastures: Mysore Rosewood Inlay Cow Grazing Wall Panel

Provenance

This Mysore rosewood inlay panel captures a scene so familiar it almost disappears into memory—a cow grazing unhurriedly, grounded in the rhythm of rural life. There is no drama here, no performance. Just continuity. The kind that has shaped landscapes, livelihoods, and lived experience across generations.

Pastoral imagery has long been central to Indian visual traditions, not as nostalgia but as acknowledgment. The grazing cow represents sustenance, patience, and coexistence with nature—values embedded deeply within village life. In this panel, the moment is rendered without excess, allowing the simplicity of the act to carry its own weight.

The composition relies on restraint. Dark, dense rosewood forms the foundation, while lighter woods and subtle inlay materials define form and movement with precision. Each recess is carved by hand, then filled piece by piece, requiring absolute control and time—qualities that define the Mysore rosewood inlay tradition.

This craft flourished in the royal city of Mysore in the early 19th century, once adorning palace doors and architectural interiors under royal patronage. Its meticulous technique earned global recognition with a gold medal at the British Empire Exhibition in 1914 and was later protected under Geographical Indication status in 2006, acknowledging its cultural and artisanal significance.

Handcrafted by skilled artisans continuing a lineage of knowledge passed through generations, this panel is not merely decorative. It is a quiet record of rural life, translated through patience, discipline, and material integrity—bringing a sense of grounding and continuity into the spaces it inhabits.

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Disclaimer

• The frames shown are for display purposes only and are not included with the artwork.
• As these are made-to-order designer pieces, expect minor colour variations from the displayed artwork.