Indian Jewellery History - 1

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• Jewellery History
• Jadau Jewelry or Kundan Jewellery
• Minakari or Enamelling Jewellery
• Hollow ornaments
• Gold Jewellery with Filigree work
• Diamond or Stone studded jewellery
• Thewa Jewellery

History                                

'Indian Jewellery' - two simple but heart touching words. When you think about, your minds races back in centuries. Eye capture ornamental history from passing billions of years will come in front of you. It is believed that Indian Jewellery craft is over billions of years old and over these years; it has evolved into an art - in terms of design and craftsmanship.

As Indian earliest history; when the country called Hindustan - before Chakravarti Maharaja Bharat (As per Indian history the first Emperor of the world, who become Emperor before more than 10000 billion years ago. And Chakravarti means the Emperor of the whole world.) the Indians well known with the art of Metal working, Stone cutting, Stone setting, Filigree work, Minakari (Enamelling), Kundan work, Embossing & other art of jewellery. Not only have this art of Metal working, but they well known with Jewellery Designing. By metal working and the art of jewellery designing they made many types of ornaments like Crowns, Rani-Haar (long necklace), Hansali or Hansdi (circular neck ornament), Necklaces, Pendants, Earrings, Tops, Thumb rings, Finger rings, Toe rings, Bangles, Bracelets, Kadas, Kadandias, Armlets, Armbands, Tikas, Borlas, Dots, Chains, Nose pins, Nose-rings, Nath chains (worn with nose ring), Ear chains, Waist-belts, Anklets… there is no limitation of the jewellery they made. Not only jewellery but many ornaments pieces, architectural constructions prove that the art of that time is not comparable with any other culture. Earliest Indian gives all this knowledge to the world.

India has always been a land of gems and a variety of precious stones. The test for colour in jewellery had its greatest manifestation in the lands of Hindustan and among the civilization of the Hindus. Large quantity of a wide variety of precious and valuable stones abounds in Hindustan (India). Sculptures and paintings of men and women adorn with jewels testify to their use, as does recent work which in quality and test points to the inheritance of a very ancient tradition. To the rich variety of stones was added the widespread use of pearls and of enamels and vitreous pastes, which were very popular in jewellery in India.

Adorning the hair, feet, ankles and every part of the woman's body, Jewellery occupies a prominent place in every woman's mind. And for the Indian woman - jewellery always was, still is, and will continue to be her innermost desire - a most intimate reflection of her grace and beauty.  

Many Indian historical places of that time have proved that India has the greatest art of metalworking, lapidary, jewellery designing, architecture and all types of work related to art. The art of the time is amazing and worldwide famous. 

In Harappa, one of the most ancient centers of the Hindu civilization, ornament was found are mostly made from red cornelian. In 4th & 5th Century AD the paintings of Ajanta show men & women wearing more jewels than clothes. In India the size & complexity of earrings, bracelets, armbands, belts, head dresses, leg bracelets and rings, which adorn these masterpieces of pictorial art, reflect the fantastic splendor.

                According with the changes in centuries, a vast variety of designs & different types has been emerged with a specific purpose. Today, women will not wear ten pieces of jewellery on her head. At other times they were less bulky but still richly adorned with clusters of pearls or colored stones some were half moon shaped and minutely decorated with bezels and pendants. Armlets & Bracelets could be made of light metalwork or tabular hoops or jeweled bands. This similar type of ornament was also worn on the foot. The number and variety of belts was comparative with necklaces. The Hindu women of Rajasthan were up to ten jeweled anklets one on top of the other, each with a specific denomination rings were often more on the toes.

Indian Jewellery is characterized by some of the finest handwork and symbolizes the painstaking efforts, the utmost care and the attention to detail in every piece that the workers create. The other facet of this jewellery is that it is custom-made and often created to match the original and individual persona of the woman.

In the world, jewellery known by culture or some religions; but in India every State in India has its own special style of crafting and these styles have been adapted by the Goldsmiths and Workers of that region.