rontholi jewellery cluster nagaon - Designclinicsmsme.org

About
Assam Jewellery
The art of jewellery making in Assam was part
and parcel of the rich culture and tradition of
the region since time immemorial. The
exclusive and the intricate designs found in the
traditional Assamese jewellery are hand crafted
which are skillfully designed by jewelers of
the state and which cannot be made by others.
The jewelers known as ‘Sonari’ make exquisite
Doog-Doogi, Bana, Junbiri, Dhol-Biri type
lockets, Thuriya, Loka-Paro and Keru earrings;
Gaam-Kharu bracelets and Gal-Pata necklaces.
Based on the use of raw materials used for
manufacturing, the Assam jewellery can be
categorized as;
i) Pure Gold jewellery where only gold is used
as raw material
ii) Gold Platted jewellery where gold is platted
over silver
iii) Gold imitation jewellery.
Among all forms of jewellery, Gold jewellery
is very famous in Assam. Gold has always
constituted the most-used metal for jewellery
in Assam, while the use of silver and other
metals too have been there for centuries. Gold
washing and manufacture of Jewellery were
two important ancient industries in Assam &
gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of
different rivers of the state. References to gold
in Assam in the early period are found in the
writings of the classical writers and the earliest
reference is found in the ‘Arthashasthra’. During
the rule of the Ahom Kings, gold washing was
done on an elaborate scale and the state derived
considerable income from the yearly tax levied
on Gold washing. Gold was locally available,
flowing down several Himalayan rivers, of
which Subansiri river is the most important. In
fact, a particular tribe of people; the Sonowal
Kacharis, were engaged only for gold-washing
in these rivers.
Assam Jewellery comprises of a dazzling
variety of gold ornaments. The specialty of
jewellery in Assam lies in its exquisite
designing, polish and shimmer. The designs in
the ornaments are influenced by nature and
also its rich culture and traditions. Although
gold is the commonest of ingredient which
is used to make various ornaments, Assam
Jewellery also includes use of other metals like
silver.
Interactive Design Study | Rontholi Jewellery Cluster Nagaon | 2011 | Arpit Agarwal
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