Lippan art, also called Lippan kaam or mud-and-mirror work, is a traditional wall decoration from Kutch, Gujarat. It is known for raised mud relief, inlaid mirrors and geometric, floral and animal designs that catch the light and give a wall texture.
What Is Lippan Art?
The word lippan means plastering. Women of communities such as the Rabari, Mutwa and Meghwal in Kutch traditionally decorated the inside walls of their round mud houses, called bhungas, with this work. It kept homes cool, reflected lamp light at night and showed the skill of the household. Today Lippan art is also made as framed panels for homes, offices and hotels.
History of Lippan Art in Kutch
Lippan kaam comes from the Banni grasslands and the villages around them in Kutch, where it was part of building and keeping a home. Each community developed its own style. Rabari work is often bold and built on repeating geometric designs, while Mutwa artists are known for dense, intricate patterns. The craft passed from mother to daughter, and a well-decorated home was a source of family pride.
How Lippan art is made
- Clay is mixed with dung (traditionally camel or donkey) to make a smooth, strong paste.
- The paste is rolled into thin coils and pressed onto the wall or board to form the outlines.
- Small mirrors, called abhla, are pressed into the pattern while the clay is soft.
- The work is dried and often finished with white clay or paint.
Contemporary panels are usually built on wood or MDF with modelling clay, which makes them light and easy to hang. Check each product description for its exact materials.
Common Lippan Designs
Geometric patterns, mandala compositions, peacocks, camels, flowers, leaves, the sun and the tree of life are common Lippan motifs. Traditional Rabari designs are often geometric, while Mutwa work can be finer and more intricate. Designs and interpretations vary between makers.
Traditional and modern Lippan
Traditional Lippan is white or earth-coloured with plain mirrors. Modern Lippan art often uses bright colours, painted backgrounds and mixed mirror shapes, and appears on mirrors, clocks and wall plates as well as panels.
Lippan Art Price in India
Handmade Lippan panels at Treasure of India are currently priced at ₹1,599 each. Price depends on four things: the size of the panel, the number of mirrors set by hand, the base it is built on and the intricacy of the clay work. Rolling clay coils and setting mirrors takes many hours, so very cheap pieces are usually moulded or printed. Larger wall installations are priced separately; use the product page to ask about sizes that are not listed.
How to Spot Original Handmade Lippan Art
A handmade Lippan panel is not difficult to recognise once you learn the signs. The raised clay lines are hand-rolled, so their thickness varies slightly. Mirrors are pressed in one at a time, so their edges and spacing are never perfectly even. Real glass mirrors reflect light sharply, while plastic or foil inserts look dull. Resin reproductions repeat the same shape exactly and feel lighter and smoother to the touch. Every Treasure of India piece is made by a named artisan and comes with a signed certificate of authenticity.
How to Choose Lippan Wall Art
- Measure the wall: a single large mandala suits an entrance; a set of three small panels suits a corridor.
- Check the mounting: ready-to-hang panels with a back hook are easiest.
- Look at the finish: handmade pieces show small variations in line and mirror placement.
- Place it where light moves, so the mirrors sparkle through the day.
Caring for Lippan art
Lippan is made of clay, and moisture is its main enemy. Dust it with a soft, dry brush or a hairdryer on the cool setting, and never wipe it with a wet cloth. Hang it away from bathrooms, kitchens and walls that turn damp in the monsoon. If a mirror loosens, a drop of clear craft glue will hold it back in place.
Lippan Art as a Gift
A small Lippan panel makes a thoughtful housewarming, Diwali or wedding gift because it is handmade, light to post and suits almost any wall. For corporate gifting, a set of matching square panels works well in offices and reception areas.
Buying Lippan Art Online: Shipping in India and Abroad
We ship Lippan art across India and worldwide from our gallery in Gurugram. Orders typically take 2 to 3 weeks to arrive. Shipping is free within India on orders of ₹2,999 and above, and international shipping is a flat ₹4,000 per order. See international shipping, customs and duties.
The Makers Behind Handmade Craft
Treasure of India's Lippan work is made by Kutch artisans including Kharet Dosa Desharbhai. Explore artist profiles to learn about the maker, region and craft practice. Lippan panels are also on display at our gallery in Palam Vihar, Gurugram, which opened in October 2026. Book a visit.
Explore More Indian Art
Use the Lippan collection to explore available wall art, read about mandala art, and discover more regional traditions through Gujarat art and the Craft Map of India.
FAQs
What is Lippan art?
A traditional mud-and-mirror relief craft from Kutch, Gujarat, used to decorate walls.
Which state is Lippan art from?
Gujarat, mainly the Kutch region.
What is Lippan art made of?
Traditionally clay mixed with dung, with small mirrors pressed in. Modern panels often use modelling clay on wood or MDF.
What is the price of Lippan art?
Handmade Lippan panels at Treasure of India are currently ₹1,599 each.
How can I tell if Lippan art is handmade?
Look for slightly uneven clay lines, hand-set glass mirrors with irregular spacing, and a named artisan. Moulded resin copies repeat shapes exactly.
Do you ship Lippan art outside India?
Yes. We ship worldwide for a flat ₹4,000 per order; delivery usually takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Where should I hang Lippan art?
Entrances, living rooms and corridors where light moves across the mirrors.
