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Art of Harappa
& Mohenjodaro Period
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Motifs
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Kundan
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Meenakari
Sikh Jewellery
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Maharashtrian Jewellery
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South Jewellery
Bengali Jewellery
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Rajasthani Jewellery
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Mughal Jewellery
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MAHARASHTRIAN JEWELLERY
 Maharashtrian
jewellery includes specific pieces for adorning women from head to
toe. On the head, on either side of the central parting of the hair
would be worn the chandra - a moon shaped ornament and surya - a sun
shaped ornament. Flower shaped ornaments were particularly favoured
for decorating the hair, as srings of fragrant, real flowers were
often affixed to plaits or chignons. For holding up a pony tail or
plait, would be a moud, while an agraphool could also be worn in the
chignon. It is a round piece with a fifure in the centre and petals
in the edges. It is often in two pieces and worn on either side of
the Chignon. . Next are balis or rings and at the lower most portion
is the bokra a small chandlier like ornament made of pearls resembling
pearl jhumkas or the kudi, a typical Maharashtrian earring that has
a central pearl surrounding with seven pearls around it. This pattern
of the kudi is also repeated in diamonds. The nath is probably the
most identifiable piece of Maharashtrian jewellery and is a relatively
large piece. Worn on the left nostril, it almost touches the upper
lip. For everyday use a small chamki is often worn, which could be
a single pearl, gold bead or single stone Maharashtrian jewellery,
which despite modern influences has restrained a continue of traditional
patterns. Generally Maharashtrian families preferred pearl jewellery
followed by gold and silver. The reason for partiality towards pearls
can be traced to the 17th and 18th centuries when the Marathas were
involved with several military campaigns. As their army depended on
its cavalry they sought fine horses from the Arabs; who in turn also
brought along large quantities of the then readily available Basra
pearls from the Middle East - which in due course were converted into
jewellery |
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