Miniaturization
Miniaturization happens under many themes. A small replica of buildings or typical elements is fairly common. The art value created through this genre of sculpting or making objects is remarkable. The sculptors have taken an opportunity in relieving or articulating the final surface of stone in wood and terracotta. Some of the finest examples of woodwork of Gujarat represent this nuance. The frame of the niches in Adalaj ni vaav and at the Jumma Mosque, both at Ahmedabad have floral patterns, columns of standard order, lotus flower and the pot that carries the nuances of miniaturization especially in sandstone and marble. Transparency, overlapping, juxtaposition, penetration and movement are achieved in these types of sculpted objects/designs. Bass relief and full-bodied sculptures both have these qualities. One can see this play in running bands, garments of the statutory, floral motifs and building components. Tajia, the Islamic commemorative object (of the martyr Hazrat Imam Hussain) clearly represents another category of miniaturization where the replicas of buildings are miniaturized. Such Tajia(s) in metal are few and are usually in silver and gold, however, the ones that are carried in the procession are noteworthy. Here an entirely new form of art emerges. The bamboo armature and metal foil paper over it result in the representational images of the mosques from many parts of India and abroad.