Meenakari was introduced to the Indian subcontinent by the Mughals around the turn of the 16th century, when Raja Man Singh, the Kacchwaha King of Amber and one of Akbar’s most trusted generals, brought the art to Rajasthan. One of the more sophisticated crafts out there, the technique of meenakari requires a high level of expertise. First, artisans etch or engrave their design into a piece of metal, creating grooves into which the enamel dust (essentially powdered minerals) of the desired color is then poured; it is the depth of these grooves that determines how the enamel will reflect light. Each color is then fired individually, with the more heat-resistant colors, like white, fired first, so that they can be re-fired with each additional color. The piece is then cooled, cleaned, and polished. The artisan who creates these marvels is called a “meenakar.” We suggest that if you find yourself meenakered (in a sort of fugue state in which you can think of nothing but getting your hands on more enameled objects), you go to Jaipur, which is the Indian capital of meenakari. Read Less