Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Replica Taj Mahal Lamp
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Replica Taj Mahal Lamp
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Copyright and other proprietary rights in material on this site may be held by individuals or entities other than or in addition to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Library does not warrant that the use of materials displayed on this site will not infringe on the rights of third parties, such as artists or artists' heirs holding the rights to these works. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions before copying, transmitting, or making other use of protected items beyond that allowed by "fair use," as such term is understood under the United States Copyright Act. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum respects the intellectual property rights of others. The John F. Kennedy Library may, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, remove, disable and/or terminate access to any material on or linked to or from this site that it suspects to be infringing upon a third party's intellectual property rights or other rights.

Replica Taj Mahal Lamp

Artifact IDMO 63.1826a-k
Object Type Lamp
Date 20th century
Medium stone; soapstone; metal; brass
DimensionsOverall H 20 in x W 21 in x D 21 in (50.8 cm x 53.3 cm x 53.3 cm)
Physical DescriptionReplica of the Taj Mahal, with the interior of the base and midsection fitted for a lightbulb. The replica of the mausoleum is made up of: a plinth, 4 minarets at the corners of the plinth, a middle section with arched doorways on each side, 4 kiosks on the corners of the middle section, and a large dome. The minarets, kiosks, and dome all have finials. The whole replica is decorated in fine detail, in geometric, foliate and calligraphic motifs.
Historical NoteThis lamp was presented to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy during Mrs. Kennedy's state visit to India March 1962. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, that was built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed around 1648.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from a member of the general public to the President and Mrs. Kennedy received by the Executive Office of the President betwen 1961-1963 and held by the General Service Administration until it was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesKennedy Administration Collection 1960-1963 (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view