In a captivating blend of nostalgia, passion, and visual storytelling, Sudhir Jain, a dedicated collector from Satna, Madhya Pradesh, has assembled an exceptional collection of 235 matchboxes — each one uniquely featuring horses in its design. Remarkably, not a single matchbox in his collection is duplicated, making it one of the most meticulously curated private collections of its kind in India.
From majestic racing stallions and royal horse-drawn carriages to stylized artistic renderings, Jain’s collection reflects the diverse representation of horses across decades of Indian matchbox art. The collection spans vintage, regional, and rare prints, many of which were once commonly seen in rural homes but are now considered collectible relics.
“These matchboxes are miniature works of art,” said Sudhir Jain. “Each design captures the grace, power, and cultural symbolism of the horse. My goal is to preserve this forgotten aspect of popular art and printing history.”
Carefully sourced over the years from local markets, antique fairs, and fellow collectors, Jain’s collection is a testament to India’s printing heritage and its love affair with horses, which have long been symbols of royalty, speed, and loyalty.
Sudhir now hopes to exhibit his collection at cultural events or museums and is considering a digital archive to inspire younger generations to explore India’s rich visual culture.
