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         Here’s a stunning piece of history: a 100-year-old Japanese tile featuring Ravi Varma’s Lakshmi. In colonial India, tiles depicting Hindu deities and mythological themes were particularly popular and in high demand for decorating homes, temples, and public spaces.

A Brief History of Japanese Tiles

Tile-making in Japan began in the 6th century with Buddhist temple roofs and evolved over time. By the 16th century, the Portuguese introduced vibrant Majolica tiles, and during the Meiji Era (1868–1912), Japan industrialized, creating those embossed, richly colored Majolica tiles for export. These Raised designs tiles were created for a three-dimensional effect.

In 19th century, Japan became a significant exporter of decorative ceramic tiles, catering to demand in colonial markets such as India, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

India’s Demand for Mythological Art;

        In India, during the early 1900s, there was high demand for mythological-themed tiles. For example, Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings of Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Vishnu were already popular through his oleographs. These widely circulated images were ideal for reproduction on tiles for household shrines and temple walls. Japan, being a major exporter of tiles, likely printed tiles featuring Ravi Varma-inspired themes or similar mythological imagery to cater to the Indian market. One such example is this antique Majolica Lakshmi tile, which we have added to our Purathanam collection.

Today, these Majolica Japanese tiles are considered not just antiques or collectibles but also representations of the art, commerce, and cross-cultural influence between our countries

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Product Details:

SKUID: PLPRV0256

Product Name: Sri Vishnu 

Artist: Ravi Varma

Artist's Signature: Nil

Dimensions: Frame Size : 17.5 x 13.5” x .75” ;  Print; 14” x 10”

Press Details: Ravi Varma Press, Malavli, Maharashtra

Age: from 1920s hence may have some signs of fading which adds to it's beauty.

Frame: The frame is made of Teak and would have an acrylic protection in place of glass.

P. S. The products we sell are vintage and antiques and hence may have visible scratches and chip offs. We cherish them as they are reminders of the story they have been part of and hence we proudly display them in the product pictures too.

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Shipping:

We ship all over India.

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Return Policy:

No returns or Exchanges
Please do check the dimensions before you buy.