Painted for Tourists

This flower-covered armchair was made in Kashmir around 1870; not for sitting, but for selling.

As tourism grew in 19th-century India, local artisans adapted their skills to meet global demand. Traditional pen boxes and Qur’an stands gave way to armchairs, trays and souvenirs. This chair, covered in intricate hand-painted designs, is one of the finest examples of that transformation.

In this episode, I explore what it means to preserve tradition while embracing change and how even a chair can reflect the stories of its time.