Heirloom Prabhavali Art and Restoration
Transforming your family’s antique temple arches into unique wall art by blending digital storytelling with rich, hand-framed textiles.
A set of two heirloom prabhavalis I transformed for a client. The larger one features a Vishnu inspired by Company School painting, while the smaller one holds a Ganesha, creating a beautiful and personal display.
A closer look at the oversized Vishnu prabhavali. The artwork was digitally painted and then framed on a deep blue Banarasi silk with zari butas, complementing the antique brass of the arch.
A detail shot of the Vishnu painting, showing the fine details of the jewelry and clothing, characteristic of the Tanjore style that influenced this piece.
The smaller of the two prabhavalis, featuring a vibrant Ganesha. The artwork is framed against a contrasting mustard yellow fabric, making the colors pop.
The Ganesha prabhavali styled in a home setting. These pieces are designed to integrate seamlessly into your decor while adding a touch of sacred art and family history.
Another view of the Ganesha piece, showing how it can be displayed on a console table, bringing warmth and divine energy to a corner of the home.
A close-up on the top of the Ganesha prabhavali, highlighting the antique craftsmanship of the arch itself, which I always aim to honor with my artwork.
This video showcases another large vintage prabhavali, this time with a Maha Vishnu painting set against a striking green silk background. This piece is sold, but I can create similar custom works.
A pair of prabhavalis created for a client who wanted something contemporary and conversational. I used fragments of Rajput miniature paintings, framed on contrasting red and blue silks.
The prabhavalis displayed on a shelf, showing how they can work together as a set while each telling its own story.
About Heirloom Prabhavali Transformations
Because these brass arches are often fragile antiques, I work best when you ship the actual piece to my Mumbai studio. This allows me to restore the metalwork first, ensuring it is structurally sound before I design a custom backdrop of archival art and Banarasi silk that complements its history.
Every antique prabhavali carries the energy of the space it once occupied. My process begins with restoration; I clean and stabilize the brass arch, honoring the original patina rather than stripping it away. Once the structure is sound, we collaborate on the narrative. I look at the iconography of your arch and suggest an artistic direction—whether it is the vibrant detailing of Tanjore art, the anthropological documentation of the Company School, or the nuanced figures found in Rajput miniatures.
I combine digital archival printing with traditional hand-painting techniques to create the central art piece. This is then mounted on a rich textile base. I typically use Banarasi, Mashru, or raw silk, accented with zari butas, to frame the brass and ground it in a tactile, luxurious setting.
If you have a collection of arches, I can create a unified series for your wall, ensuring the color palettes of the fabrics and the themes of the paintings converse with one another. Whether you are looking for a singular statement piece or a gallery wall of family history, the goal is to transform discarded ritual items into art that fits a contemporary home. I work with clients across India, so we can coordinate shipping for your heirlooms to my Worli studio securely.
Looking for a different kind of restoration?
You can search for other ways I can help revive your vintage collection.
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