Artwork Several galleries carry paintings by contemporary artists. As the seat of empires for centuries and with royalty as patrons, Delhi has long been a cultural centre attracting the best painters throughout the country. Therefore you are sure to find something that takes your fancy. Even if not intending to buy, just looking will be a pleasure to most. Among the active galleries are Art Heritage, Triveni Art Gallery, Sridharani Gallery, Art Today, Vadehra Art Gallery, Eicher Gallery, Gallery 42, D hoomi Mal Art Centre, Gallery Escape, Lalit Kala Akademi, LGT Gallery, Gallery Ganesha, Gallery steps, AIFACS, Max Mueller Photo Gallery, British Council Division Gallery, Gallery Romain Rolland, Khirkee Gallery, the Village Gallery and at times the American Centre.
Carpets and Rugs Caution is the watchword when it comes to buying carpets, which means sticking to reputable fixed-price, non-commission shops. All the carpets at Saga, on Mathura Road , come with a Central Silk Board guarantee. Similarly, Barakhamba Gallery, on Barakhamba Road, and June 1st, at New Friends Colony, offer high-quality goods and service.
Clothing Probably the top place to shop is Fabindia in Greater Kailash 646-5497 , which exports much of its stock. Fabindia sells cool and classically tailored Indian clothing, as well as some household goods.
Handicraft The most central of the government-run handicraft centres is the Cottage Industries Emporium , on Janpath, which is well stocked with leather, textiles, jewellery, silks, cotton and saris. On Baba Kharak Sing Marg, the Himachal Pradesh Emporium has soft blankets and shawls in wool, cashmere or pashmina, while the Poompahar Emporium stocks the region's glazed Thanjuver pottery and traditional stone carvings of gods and goddesses, and the Uttar Pradesh Emporium specialises in leather goods and copper and brass items. Located in south Delhi, Hauz Khas Village has a centralised collection of furniture shops and bazaars, along with a good selection of frequently changing boutiques offering designer clothes, silks, chiffons and organzas. Traditional crafts, have long been practiced in Delhi and you'll discover fine potters, wooden toy makers, kite makers and lacquer craftsmen in Old Delhi where it is not unusual to come upon a traditional workshop.
Jewellery Jaipur Kundan Style Jewellery Items made in the famed Jaipur kundan style (precious stones and gems are inlaid into gold) are particularly popular. Gold and Silver Jewellery Can be found t numerous outlets throughout the city and often good deals can be found. Diamonds and other Precious Stones Look for good buys in diamonds and other precious stones.
Markets Delhi's markets come crammed with goods, people and smells. The magnificent bazaars of Chandni Chowk are open daily and piled high with gold, nuts, spices, silks, carpets and perfume and are worth visiting for the spectacle alone. Sunder Nagar Market , off Mathura Road, is open Monday-Saturday and is a good place to search for antiques and jewellery , as well as boasting a huge variety of other knick-knacks and artefacts spilling out of the shops. One of Delhi's most prestigious markets and a regular haunt of the city's ex-pats, is Khan Market , just south of India Gate, open Tuesday-Sunday. There are a number of excellent bookshops here. The wholesale Spice Market , on Khari Baoli, in the Old City, is where, for centuries, the culinary traditions of North Asia, China, Persia and the Middle East have worked their influence on local cuisine. Many markets specialize in certain goods, such as fabrics or crafts or produce, while others have a type of two-of-everything selection that is almost daunting. Travellers with even the most marginal interest in shopping should nonetheless check out at least one market, if only for the sheer spectacle.
Metalwork (including Gold and Silver enamelling etc) The city is particularly well known for its silver and gold enamelling and you'll find master-craftsmen for this living in the Walled City where there are also miniature painters.
Terra-cotta is available at a number of markets and stalls around town.
Textiles Top-quality textiles (particularly silks) can be purchased at bargain prices. Silk dresses and shawls are especially popular, and hundreds of boutiques sell women's fashions and accessories.
Zari Zardozi or embroidery in gold thread can be found throughout Delhi and a popular spot for a good choice of this craft is in the Walled City.
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