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New Palace, Morbi

Coordinates: 22°48′46″N 70°50′59″E / 22.8128°N 70.8497°E / 22.8128; 70.8497
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The New Palace is a historic palace located in the city of Morbi, India. Built between 1931 and 1944 in the Art Deco style, it was commissioned by the Mahendrasinhji Lakhdiraji.

Description

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In 1931, Mahendrasinhji Lakhdiraji commissioned Kumar Ramsinh, a graduate of the Architectural Association and the second Indian partner at Gregson, Batley and King, to design this palace for his personal use.[1][2][3] It was designed in the Art Deco style.[4][5] It was built and furnished between 1931 and 1944.[1] It was executed by the contractors Shapoorji Pallonji.[6]

It has a pink plaster exterior with horizontal lines and curved corners.[2] The interiors include rooms, a lounge with dining booths, two bars with triple-decker cushioned barstools, a gym, and a swimming pool.[2][6] It has a library with walnut wood paneling and a fireplace.[6] Furniture for it was purchased from a firm based on Tottenham Court Road, London.[6] Mahendrasinhji also commissioned Polish artist Stefan Norblin to beautify the palace interiors with his paintings.[2][7][8] Stefan created large murals and canvases featuring hunting scenes, Shiva in prayer, Krishna for Apollo riding his chariot across the sky,[2] portraits of the Mahendrasinhji ancestors, and imagery showcasing the local flora and fauna.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lang, Jon T. (2002). A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India. Orient Blackswan. p. 16. ISBN 978-81-7824-017-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e Benton, Charlotte; Benton, Tim; Wood, Ghislane (2003). Art deco 1910-1939. Internet Archive. Boston : Bulfinch Press/AOL Time Warner Book Group. pp. 388–389. ISBN 978-0-8212-2834-0.
  3. ^ "Modern Bombay and the People Who Shaped It: A Record of Architects & Firms - Art Deco". www.artdecomumbai.com. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Home Tour: The New Palace - Kinfolk". www.kinfolk.com. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. ^ Banham, Joanna (2015). Encyclopedia of Interior Design. Routledge. p. 603. ISBN 978-1-136-78758-4.
  6. ^ a b c d "Princely States and the Emergence of Art Deco in Bombay - Art Deco". www.artdecomumbai.com. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  7. ^ Jhala, Angma Dey (6 October 2015). Royal Patronage, Power and Aesthetics in Princely India. Routledge. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-317-31657-2.
  8. ^ Sharma, Kamayani (11 October 2022). "Drawing Hindu epics in Art Deco style, this Polish artist left behind a striking legacy". Scroll.in. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Stefan Norblin: The Polish artist who painted Hindu gods in Indian palaces". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 10 November 2024.

22°48′46″N 70°50′59″E / 22.8128°N 70.8497°E / 22.8128; 70.8497