What it is (and why it’s unique to Tamil Nadu)

• GI-tagged craft: Thanjavur Paintings are registered as an Indian Geographical Indication (GI Application #47) under “Handicrafts,” filed 04-Jan-2006; current validity runs to 03-Jan-2026.
  
• Technique & look: Panel paintings on wooden planks (palagai padam), with raised gesso relief and 22-carat gold leaf; often inlaid with glass/semi-precious stones. Iconography is predominantly Hindu deities (Krishna, Balaji, Lakshmi, etc.).
  
• Regional provenance: Origin in and around Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) with long court/temple patronage; the craft is explicitly signposted as a GI product by the Thanjavur Tourism Promotion Council.
  
• Government retail channel: Poompuhar (Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Dev. Corp.) sells certified Tanjore pieces and specifies “authentic 22K gold foil” in listings—useful as a quality signal in tenders.
  

Export classification & duties

• HS/ITC-HS: Chapter 97 “Works of Art.” Tanjore paintings are exported as HS 9701 (paintings, drawings and pastels…; collages and similar decorative plaques). Chapter notes confirm scope/exclusions.
  
• U.S. duty treatment (importer view): U.S. CBP rulings and the HTS show general duty-free for hand-executed works under 9701 (ensure you don’t describe them as “decorated manufactured articles,” which would reclassify).
  

Where the exports are (best available data)

There is no separate HS line for “Tanjore”—exports are tracked under HS 9701/970110 with all hand-painted artworks. Figures below are therefore proxy totals for the category.

• India’s 2023 exports of HS 9701: ~$169 million (≈0.033% of India’s merchandise exports).
  
• India’s 2023 exports of HS 970110 (paintings, drawings & pastels): ~$65.3 million; top buyers USA ($36.2m), UK ($14.5m), Japan ($6.6m). (UN Comtrade via World Bank WITS.)
  
• Why two numbers? 9701 total vs. 970110 sub-line and HS versioning yield different aggregates; both are UN-Comtrade–based but cut slightly differently. Use 970110 for country splits, 9701 for chapter-level size.
  
• Export ecosystem: Handicrafts exporters (including painting categories) are organized under EPCH, which runs the IHGF Delhi sourcing fairs—useful for supplier discovery and consolidated shipments.
  

Quality & specification (what to ask suppliers)

Construction

• Substrate: Jackwood/other hardwood panel (traditionally cloth-wrapped), not paper board.
  
• Relief (gesso): Chalk/adhesive (traditional) raised work defining jewellery/arches.
  
• Gold leaf: 22K leaf over the relief; confirm karatage in writing and source.
  
• Inlays: Glass or semi-precious stones per design.
  

Finish & framing

• Front: Typically glass-fronted frame; verify UV-safe glazing for export markets. (Best practice; specify in PO.)
  
• Back: Acid-free backing; humidity barrier (export spec). (Best practice; add to spec sheet.)
  

Authenticity & traceability

• GI angle: For “Thanjavur Painting” claims, ask the workshop for GI-user details or evidence of origin (artisan certificates/invoices stating “Thanjavur Painting – GI”). Cross-check style hallmarks: wood panel, raised gesso, genuine gold leaf.
  
• Government channel: Where relevant, quote/benchmark against Poompuhar SKUs (which explicitly mention 22K leaf).
  

Typical lead times & price cues (market examples)

• Retail lead times advertised by exporters for large framed Tanjore works: ~20 working days (made-to-order).
  
• Government retail examples (Poompuhar) show a wide price spread by size/complexity (small sizes in the ₹7–15k bracket, larger/deity panels much higher). Use only as indicative retail; export pricing differs.
  

Strengths (why India / why Thanjavur cluster)

• Distinct construction vocabulary (panel + raised gesso + 22K leaf) that competitors (e.g., Rajasthani paper miniatures or Mysore painting) typically do not combine in the same way.
  
• Deep iconographic bench (temple/household devotional use), giving steady export demand to diaspora, temples, hotels/spiritual retail.
  
• GI protection + state support (tourism, ODOP/GI promotion) add legitimacy and help fight mislabelling.
  
• Established export channels (EPCH/IHGF) and government retail (Poompuhar) make supplier vetting easier for first-time buyers.
  

Compliance & logistics (exporter/buyer checklist)

• HS: Declare under 9701 (or 970110 depending on national tariff granularity). Avoid mis-describing as “decorated manufactured articles.”
  
• U.S. imports: Duty-free if classified as original hand-executed artwork under 9701; keep documentation (artisan invoice, description as “hand-executed painting”) to avoid reclass.
  
• Packaging: Corner protectors, foam + bubble, double-wall carton; wooden export crate for >24×30 in. Use ISPM-15 only for the crate/pallet (not the artwork). (Best practice.)
  
• Insurance: Insure as fine art; declare medium and gold leaf content in description.
  

Quick spec template for RFQs

• Style: Thanjavur (Tanjore) Painting, GI craft from Tamil Nadu.
  
• Substrate: Hardwood panel (jackwood preferred), cloth-wrapped.
  
• Relief: Hand-modelled gesso (chalk/adhesive).
  
• Gold: 22K leaf (state karatage), burnished.
  
• Inlay: Glass/semi-precious stones as per motif.
  
• Finish: UV-glass frame, acid-free backing; hanging hardware mounted.
  
• Size: e.g., 12×10 in, 24×18 in, 36×30 in (tolerance ±3–5 mm).
  
• Marking: Maker label; origin “Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India”; care/cleaning note.
  

Docs: Commercial invoice describing “Original hand-executed painting (HS 9701)” + packing list + GI/user details if applicable. DGCISKOL