Mosaic
and Inlay work has been widely used in the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. The
white marble interiors are adorned with prolific, graceful and
convoluted stylized inlay and stucco designs. The main gateway showcases
white marble inlay work on red sandstone. Geometrical designs and wine
vases are depicted frequently. The red sandstone platform has bands of
highly stylized floral patterns and creepers. The tomb marks the use of
dados in their fully developed forms as a distinct feature of
architectural embellishment. The sides of entrance arches above the
dados have superb inlaid work too with the designs characteristic of the
times of Jehangir such as vases with serpentine handles and cypress
motifs. The extensive use of rare and semi precious stones of all hues and shades are used for this inlay mosaic work such as agate, carnelian, garnet, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, opal, onyx and turquoise used in combination with black, white and yellow marble. The central hall, the corner chambers and side halls boast of exceptional wall and stucco paintings depicting guldastas, wine vases, cypress and other Persian motifs. Embroidery designs are often used as the incised stucco on the ceilings and animal motifs can be seen frequently. The designs in the central chamber seem to be moving and human figures are unexpectedly depicted in a scheme of painted panels. Inscriptions on white marble panels can be seen on the frieze, above the arches and the octagonal towers.