Unveiled at Jaipur’s Museum of Meenakari Heritage (MOMH), the House of Sunita Shekhawat has introduced MOMH Collectibles—a new series of eight enamelled objets d’art that extends the vocabulary of Meenakari beyond fine jewellery. Jaipur, long celebrated as one of the world’s foremost gems capitals, has for decades supplied exquisite jewels to Indian royalty and attracted global maisons such as Bvlgari and Cartier. Yet beyond its role as a hub for gemstones and design, the Pink City has nurtured centuries-old traditions of Kundan and Meenakari craft. While India’s jewellery legacy is undeniably rich, its preservation and presentation through museums remain limited.
Kewal Chholak
Determined to change that, Sunita Shekhawat, custodian of the House of Shekhawat and a patron of Meenakari, launched the self-funded Museum of Meenakari Heritage (MOMH) in 2024 to preserve the enamelling legacy of Jaipur. Conceived as both an archive and an experience, MOMH, an important cultural destination, showcases original works by the eponymous brand, alongside an immersive journey into the world of enamelling from Renaissance Europe to India. It showcases several archival images from institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, amongst others, along with 120 reproductions of enamelled artefacts. Reflecting on the museum’s first year, Shekhawat notes, “When we opened MOMH, it was with the hope of creating a space that would not only preserve but also reimagine the legacy of Meenakari. The response has been overwhelming—from collectors, connoisseurs, and even young visitors who are discovering this artform for the first time. As a traditional jeweller, stepping into the world of a museum was a bold move, but over the past year, MOMH has become a place of dialogue, where history, craftsmanship, and contemporary design meet.”
It is against this backdrop that MOMH Collectibles was unveiled on August 1 in Jaipur. Designed as heirloom-quality objects for the home, the debut series includes decorative boxes, spoons, a vanity mirror, a hair pin, a meenakari pill box, and a striking pair of prancing horse earrings. The launch evening, conceptualised by designer Eeshaan Kashyap under the theme Bejewelled Senses, transformed the museum into a multisensory celebration of heritage and artistry where guests experienced the world of Meenakari through touch, scent, sound, and sight. Each room in the museum was dedicated to one of the collectible pieces, presented through theatrical installations. From the Prancing Horse Earrings displayed on a spinning Meenakari carousel, to the Bougainvillea Box showcased on sculptural branches with projections of monsoon clouds and floral shadows, the narrative came alive through carefully designed environments, scents, and custom soundscapes.
At the heart of the collection are ancient enamelling techniques such as ronde-bosse, champlevé, and plique-à-jour, revived by master artisans in Jaipur. Crafted in gold and silver, each object is a blend of history and innovation, bringing Meenakari into new contexts.
We quizzed Sunita about her foray into objets d’art as a category and she tells us, “For years, I’ve believed that Meenakari has the power not just to beautify the body, but also to enrich the spaces around us. With Collectibles, I wanted to create objets d’art that celebrate the same heritage and finesse as our jewellery, yet in forms that could be lived with and passed down as heirlooms. The idea took shape quite organically—while building MOMH, I realised there was an opportunity to tell the story of Meenakari in new, unexpected ways and these objects are a result of our attempt to blur the lines between jewellery and art, honouring the timeless craft while resonating with today’s modern collectors.” With MOMH Collectibles, Sunita Shekhawat reinforces her role as both creator and custodian of Meenakari. The series positions Jaipur’s legacy not just in the past but as part of a living, evolving heritage for collectors of today.
Highlights of MOMH Collectibles
Prancing Horse Earrings |
Prancing Horse Earrings is inspired by a 17th-century pendant admired by Emperor Jahangir. Fashioned in gold using ronde-bosse enamel and set with rubies and pearls, they took six months to complete, and are available in black and white enamel variants. Priced at Rs 14,00,000
The Meenakari Box |
The Meenakari Box created using the champlevé technique is a rich mosaic of tulips and carnations inspired by Ottoman textile patterns. The result of one and a half years of painstaking work, it was originally commissioned by Smt. Nita Ambani after a visit to the museum—sparking a new movement of collectible objects. Priced at Rs 10,50,000
The Bougainvillea Box |
The Bougainvillea Box draws from the flora of Umaid Bhawan Palace. It is crafted using plique-à-jour, a technique that mimics stained glass and is set with amethysts, emeralds, and diamonds. It’s a sculptural tribute to India’s iconic flower. Priced at Rs 18,50,000
