Dhokra ethnic jewelries

These jewelries are prepared by molding brass in a desired shape and pattern. It is one of the earliest developed forms of art practiced in India. It works with the lost wax method of casting the alloy; the finishing of this work is too brilliant.

Jute jewelries

This happens to be a fiber grown widely in the eastern Indian region. This fiber is quite durable and can withstand stress and pressure very well. These factors make them suitable for ethnic jewelry making. They readily take dyes and their coarseness can be treated and got rid off to give a smooth finish in order to prevent irritation in any part of the skin.

Glass beads jewelries

Working with glass beads has been very enjoyable for the Indian artisans and so they produce lovely jewelries with them. Some of the varieties of beautiful glass beads with which the tribal craftsmen of India have worked with are brown glass beads, two tone glass beads, iridescent glass beads colorful chevron glass beads and many more. The jewelries made of glass beads are unparalleled in terms of beauty.

Wooden jewelries

Wooden jewelries can be quite light and slender at the same time. Bamboo trees are found in abundance in India and so they are widely used in the making of ethnic jewelries. Not only worn by the tribal people but also worn by the city dwellers because of its chic style. Hardwood jewelries are also good for making a string style statement. They are quite elegant to look at and can be carved in different shapes and sizes to bring out the beauty.

So here are a set of ethnic Indian tribal jewelries. Apart from these, there are other region specific jewelries like the lac jewelry or feather jewelries which are equally stylish and ethnic at the same time.

If you want to shop for organic jewelries, then do not hesitate to do so as they are extremely reasonable. The amount you pay to possess such a valuable creation is quite less compared to its merit. It is now possible for you to have a look at the large collection of organic jewelries offered to you by the collectors. Yes, but then it is very important for you to make a judicious selection between cheap prices and quality products. For just the sake of obtaining cheap organic jewelries, just do not land up purchasing any thing which may look attractive but do not fulfill the promises made by organic jewelries. It is important that you go with reputed brands which bring forward the authentic products from unreachable areas of countries. A good brand will naturally have an eye for quality natural products. No original products will escape their eyes and no false statements will pass away as best in the market.

These organic jewelries retain their savage beauty but at the same time treated with organic chemicals to eradicate all the unwanted germs or chemicals which if allowed coming in touch with body sweat can cause unnecessary troubles for the stylish generation. Unwanted eruptions and allergic reactions are common when organic jewelries reach you without a brand name. So go for good brands that not only care for your trendy tastes but also believe in the philosophy of the well being of their clients. No such false and harmful product can reach you when your interests are protected by reputed and responsible brands.

So as responsible consumers compare the prizes of beautiful organic jewelries, but then on the other hand do not compromise with the quality of these products. Go with the best brands and support nature and its gift in a very stylish and trendy way.

Cire Perdue was a technique practiced by the ancient and technically advanced Indus valley civilization. The river Indus flowed with its virgin beauty over a vast area of India. People had commendable erudition even in and around the time of 3500 B.C., that is, almost more than 5500 years from now in the field of metal casting. The history books enlighten the readers about a very well known and talked about figurine of a bronze made dancing girl. Her long hands are beautifully covered with bangles and she stands with élan with one of her hands dangling insouciantly, while the other kept artistically on her waist. It is a timeless example of metal casting using the method of Cire Perdue.

Apart from these, there are other bronze figures of animals like buffalo, dogs and bulls which depict their knowledge in this field. From the sites of Harappa civilization many other metal sculptures like that of copper and alloys like brass were recovered. The ornaments excavated from the various states of India say about the Hellenistic style of art. A confluence of Indian and Greek arts show that the Indian were in a position to savor different metal casting art forms very well. Even the well known kingdoms patronized such art and this is the reason why Indian artisans got the impetus to put their best in their work.

Every corner of India is filled with savant tribal groups that know how to channelize this zeal and produce spates of unique items. Dhokra art is indebted to those ancient civilizations and art patronizing kings who allowed Cire Perdue to flourish and give rise to many other different art forms. The dhokra artisans and craftsmen value this classical import and still work with full zeal to open up new vistas in tribal arts and crafts everyday.

The dhokra ornaments has to be prepared with skilled hands and patient mind. The process of molding is very lengthy and quite time consuming. The craftsmen have to give special attention that majority of their work of designing the ornaments do not get wasted away during the process of molding. Due to this process of molding no two dhokra ornaments will look similar. They will just not resemble each other completely. Here lies the exclusiveness of dhokra ornaments.

The tribal communities of India consist of traditional metal craftsmen who excel in the field of sculpture and ornament making. As time passes they find out new designs and ideas worth incorporating in the field of dhokra art. This is a tradition which they have carried from influential kingdoms of the medieval ages like the Chola kingdom down in the southern region of peninsular India. This was one of the kingdoms that patronized art and craft massively during their period of rule. The gorgeous temples that were constructed had idols of gods and goddesses wearing such ornaments apart from valuable metal jewelries. The people of India from those times and even before that thought of holding this rich heritage.

Still not much India practices or is aware of this dhokra ornaments, but the portion aware are excellent in producing master pieces. There are quite a number of state awards and accolades that are distributed to acknowledge the dexterous hands of those workers who tirelessly work and innovate in order to give the best. Ornaments have always been one of the priciest possessions of human race and when it is something like dhokra , then you can rest assure that they have traversed a long distance while the sands of time had been flowing incessantly without a moment of pause. Dhokra ornaments are something with which someone who values time and art would love to associate.

From simple motifs to most beautiful animal forms, they just bring life in their craft. The dhokra artisan craft basically consists of turning brass in flexible and agile looking thin coils and then twisting and turning it to their whims and fancies to produce beautiful tribal crafts.

Now this dhokra craft making process when merges with another old tribal art, it produces magic in various earthly forms. The old tribal process that was previously mentioned is the Cire Perdue technique; better know as the “lost wax casting”.

The name Cire Perdue has a French origin. This technique also finds use in industry so commonly known as “investment casting” in industry. This technique involves the casting of brass and bronze from the sculpture of an artist.

The process may have a different approach in different foundries but there is one standard approach when it comes to small sculptures made up of bronze. For this technique, it is not necessary to use only wax. There are other substances with the help of which the purpose of casting may be achieved.

Tallow, tar, resin and textile are some of the other materials with which Cire Perdue technique is achieved. In this case they are better known as “lost mold”. This word lost is used because the substance with which molding is done is later discarded as soon as the casting is done.

The process consists of first making an original mold by the artisan. It consists of two layers, the harder outer layer and the inner softer layer made of rubber, polyurethane or fiberglass. After the end of this mold making the molten wax is poured in it till an even thickness is achieved. The hollow copy of wax is now removed.

Now a heated rod is used to remove those marks from where parting lines or flashings that had originated. Now this copy is sprued with another structure so that paths are created for the air and molten wax to flow out. Now into slurry made of silica, this copy is dipped. A shell like structure is formed which is now allowed to dry.

Now this shell is placed on a kiln to get hardened. It is then cooled and again heated to remove last moisture droplets. Next it is hammered or blasted with sand. Now this casting would resemble the original copy completely.
So this is the cire perdue technique used in dkokra craft making.

The incorporation of floral designs in necklaces makes it look all the more pretty and dainty. A good variety of color schemes are employed to bring out the beauty of small and big beads used in earrings and necklaces.

People of India have a high sense of aesthetics for which they are able to identify themselves with this art of making beaded jewelries. The youngsters find beaded jewelries much more fashionable and versatile than heavy gold or silver jewelries.

One long beaded necklace can be worn with quite a number of turns and at times can be worn as a wristlet. This flexibility has made them quite popular among the jewelry loving people.

Some of the beaded jewelries are multicolored for which can be easily worn with any attire. The judicious selection of beads by the simple tribal people residing in the remote districts of India, require a special mention for this reason. They are extremely honest with their work and as you will see the jewelry you will be confident about the effort they put to give the unconventional look to it.

These jewelries are perfect for party wears. Ladies can flaunt them grandly with classical costumes. Not only for parties, there are beaded jewelries appropriate for any kind of occasions to make the wearer look completely in place. Beads are equally worn by women of all ages. The rustic colors make them quite suitable for men to wear them as well. The bracelets or key chains used by men can also look very stylish if they are made of beads.

Beads are such things which are manufactured by the tribal men arduously and industriously, but they are worn by people of all ages quite simply. If you have never ever tried the junk jewelries made of beads then you can definitely go for one now as it will enhance your fashion statements like anything. They show a variety of designs and color which are sure to sweep you off your feet.

One would feel flabbergasted to find that the sense of bead jewelry making was so stylish and advanced in those days. India happens to be a large exporter of glass beads, and perhaps this can be traced down to those ages.

Bead jewelry was quite a style even in the medieval periods like the Mughal era. This says that not only Hindu religion but even Islam found the art of bead jewelry amazing. During that era use of precious and semi precious stones to make beads was quite encouraged.

After the advent of the Europeans bead works saw a new transformation. The transparency and semi transparency of beads were more highlighted. They went for more refinement and so to add finesse to this work bead jewelry underwent this change. So bead jewelry makers got a trigger and worked hard to reach and produce an optimum quantity. This opened new vistas in the world of bead jewelries.

The portion of the time when the bead has to be produced is quite interesting but then at the same time quite time consuming. The raw materials from which the beads are required to be produced have to be chiseled intricately and accurately to give it the desired form. After this process of shaping them holes are required to be made so that a string passes through it easily.

All the beads are then stringed to make a perfect neckpiece. This whole process demands patience from the side of craftsmen. Indian craftsmen are known for this patience and so they are able to produce such beautiful piece of art. The making of silver jewelry was so flawless that it became well known all over the world that Indian craftsmen are really good at producing such master pieces.

Glass beads are quite popular among the city dwellers and junk jewelries produced out of beads look extremely sassy and groovy. They need to be carried with confidence to bring out their beauty. Bead jewelries are not only common in India but also all over the world because of its classical look.

These nomadic tribes have descended from the European gypsies. Travelled all over the mountains of Afghanistan and ultimately settled in the mesmerizing land of sand dunes. Their tribal art and jewelries thus is actually a display of the confluences of thoughts of those lands from where they had come long time back. Their clothes speak about those folklore and tales of sacrifice and valor. Matched with that, their jewelries perfectly complement this gypsy look. They are strongly attached to their roots and they are game to new styles when it comes to their tinkling tribal jewelries.

Pretty metallic anklets

The pretty and young girls of desert wear ring like jewelries, encircling their feet happily. As they walk over the molten gold of sands these anklets tinker away happily giving rise to a beautiful cadence. This is the true song of the deserts. They are light so that they do not pose an obstruction to those long drapes that they wear over their head to toe to dangle with pleasure.

Long dangling ear rings

On their ears hang those differently shaped ear rings which patter and touch the corner of their cheeks as they walk. The most common shape is that of a moon, they are better known as “chand balis”. They are absolutely ethnic to look at.

Cowrie shells

The women wear cowrie shells on their heads. A very beautiful piece of tribal jewelry is this. It is also worn as wristlets or anklets. They are beautifully colored and their natural rustic look actually makes them look elegant.

Apart from these there are other jewelries like mangtika which the women keep hanging like a soothing drop of water over their forehead. Broad bangles starting with a girth suitable for wearing over the wrist to that up till the arms are used by them. Banjara jewelries are a revelation by itself.

There is no denying to this fact that all these brassware handicrafts are demure and beautiful in their own spheres but none close to the dhokra craft. The dhokra artisans and craftsmen have been successful in maintain the glory which the art enjoyed during its zenith. We will quickly examine some of the factors that set dhokra art quite apart from any other traditional brassware art.

Primitive origin

The dhokra art is a very old technique of craftmaking. It is perhaps the oldest craftmaking that focused for the first time on metal other than iron for arts and crafts. Ancient civilizations in India understood the importance of the Cire Perdue technique of metal casting.

Based on this logical concept of casting metals, developed this valuable form of art called dhokra artisan craft. In various eastern Indian provinces and influential civilizations like the Indus valley civilization this form of art carved its own place. The impressions and curvatures lost nothing even after getting lost in the burden of soil and time.

After so many years when archaeologists excavated items and sculptures used in a period 5500 years back from now show its glory and grandeur haughtily. You may wonder how bold and well designed must have they been to stand the tests of time.

Such an art has to be valued and so even the tribal masses of interior India, who are bereft of official education are not ignorant to this craft. They have not turned a blind eye to this art and resolve to preserve it in their tribal arts and crafts.

Colossal body of folk tales

No other form of crafts using brass or bronze vivifies the folktales and stories of valor and wars of a long time land. The dhokra art relates those gleeful stories, tales of ancient rulers, the brave conquistadors, their recreant followers who left them in hours of exigency and fled for their own lives, tales of those women who renounced everything to walk in the path of true wisdom and values.

It’s a rich inkling to the kind of religion practiced in early ages and their rites and rituals because some of the sculptures depict gods and goddesses and natural deities who had control over cosmic powers. So you can get a perfect picture of those days. Based on these stories, dhokra art has been successful in maintaining its glory.

So the above two factors differentiate the quality and value of dhokra arts from other traditional brassware. A piece of dhokra is something you can stare for time unknown and find yourself gliding into the world of mighty empires and cultural kingdoms.

Jewelries worn by women

Women are found showing a variety of tribal jewelries. These jewelries are not used as objects of adornments but also as a symbol of regional integrity and self esteem. The embellishments are used from their head to toe. They wear headbands which are made up of bird feathers and in between styled by colorful beads. The necklaces they wear are made of the green wings of beetles and blanched matte finished, wild fruit seeds.

Women are extremely fond of glass beads which shines like dew drops as the sun rays choose to play with them. The glass beads glimmer and help bringing out the womanhood in them. These glass beads are just strung one after the other, depending upon their shades to give a heavenly effect and turned into a necklace. Each and every tribe has their own selection and preference of materials when it comes to their own ethnic tribal jewelry designing.

For example the Wancho tribe stress more on wooden and bamboo made jewelries. Their women wear light jewelries cut out of bamboo and other light plant barks. They make distinguishing jewelries with the help of reeds. These are very light plants which makes it easy to give them a nice pattern. Canes are cut very smoothly and treated with natural oil to kill harmful germs. So these natural tribal jewelries are quite innocuous and at the same time they look very stylish on young ladies.

Tribal jewelries worn by men

The men of this state prefer to experiment with bracelets, headbands and waistbands. They bring out the manliness and savage bravery in them. The uses of metal coins to make these waistbands are quite commonly found in them. They make use of some really colorful and precious stones for their bracelets and headbands. Along with the feathers of birds, ivory and animal bones are also used which shows that they are aware of the benefits of organic products.
The tribal jewelries of Arunachal Pradesh have come down a long way. The use of natural resources to beautify themselves is a great concept improvised by these tribal races.