Silver Work of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow is famous for its silver work in which he artisans do embossing, engraving and openwork altogether on sheet silver to create utensils, bridal footwear and paandaans. Craft items such as anklets with bells/paizeb, earrings/jhumkas, pots/lota, cups/katora, ritual pots/matki, glasses and plates, slippers, amulet/tabiz, inkpot/dawait, pen/kalam are created by the silversmiths. Tools such as file/reti, […]

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Beaten Silver Work of West Bengal

The craft of beaten silver work started in Bhabanipur, West Bengal during the colonial days. The cluster would cater to the demands for intricate and exotic silverware of the kings of different states, dignitaries like viceroys and the governors. However, after independence and the abolition of the Zamindari system, the glory of the craft started […]

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Jewellery and Silverware of Laos

Jewelry of South East Asia is hand made and remarkable for its beauty, technical complexity and sheer variety. Not only is it intricate in design and rich in symbolism but is sometimes seen as possessing enormous spiritual and protective powers. Jewelry, in this region, has also been used to communicate political power and wealth, social […]

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Brass and Silver Filigree

Delicate brass filigree wires are intricately wound to make products that are given a gold or silver coating to enhance their appeal. The brass filigree craft originated with the use of coral and turquoise stones that were combined with intricate filigree work to make jewellery. Gradually, this work was extended into the crafting of other […]

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Gold and Silver Jewellery Products

The traditional jewellery of Sri Lanka represents ornate and stylised work, chiefly in gold and silver. The gold and silver artisans are organised in caste-based artisanal ‘guilds’, and represent a family tradition that has thrived on the patronage of royalty and the wealthy. Foreign occupation of Sri Lanka and the decline of royal rule did […]

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Jewellery – Silver, Gold, Mother of Pearl & Coral

Though gold and silver work is a traditional craft on some islands, local work is not easily sourced. Most of the jewellery in shops comes from outside the country particularly from Sri Lanka, which is also a source of fine gem-stones. The bulk of local artisans are now working in local materials. Though gold and […]

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Jewellery and Jewelled Objects of Assam

While gold (followed by silver) has always been the most used metal for traditional jewellery, ornaments made of clay and lac bangles are also popularly used in Assam. In Barpeta and Goalpara, in Lower Assam, stones are set in the gold ornaments. Initially, gold was locally available, flowing down the Himalayan rivers, and the Sonowal […]

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