THE CRAFT
Himachal Jewellery
From the state of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
This distinctive jewellery is made and worn locally in Himachal Pradesh. The locals can be seen wearing chunky bead and metal jewellery. This includes amulets, pendants, necklaces, daggers, and rings.
Heritage Value
Under the rule of Rajput kings, craftsmen in Himachal Pradesh adopted meenakari, or enameling. Talented artisans in Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, and Kullu used enamelled gold and silver for jewellery. They would craft elliptical anklets, sturdy iron-headed bangles, hair accessories, and forehead ornaments shaped like peepal leaves. Blue enamelling and semi-precious turquoise is particularly prevalent in the design vocabulary.
Chandanhaar, an elaborate necklace is also a specialty of this region. It features long silver chains linked by engraved or enamelled silver plaques.
The unique jewellery of Himachali women includes forehead ornaments like shringar-patti adorned stars and crescent-shaped plaques. They also wear lotus headpieces, large bangles with silver beads, chokers, bird-themed chiri-tikka, khul-kantaie earrings, fulli (nose pin), and colourful phullu (foot ornaments for newlyweds). Pahari (hill) women also wear chandramalang coin necklaces, and hansli collars. In Kinnaur, married women wear khul-kantaie earrings made on a cloth strap, along with the digra shawl pin and mulmentho chains. In Lahaul-Spiti, ornaments feature semi-precious stones and the chakk, a domed-shaped head ornament.
Many artisans incorporate Tibetan influences using coral, turquoise, amber, and mother-of-pearl. There is also the “Kangra" pattern. This comprises of finely crafted silver anklets adorned with interconnected bird motifs. Like other tribal communities in India, Himachali tribal attire includes various ornate accessories.
Chandanhaar, an elaborate necklace is also a specialty of this region. It features long silver chains linked by engraved or enamelled silver plaques.
The unique jewellery of Himachali women includes forehead ornaments like shringar-patti adorned stars and crescent-shaped plaques. They also wear lotus headpieces, large bangles with silver beads, chokers, bird-themed chiri-tikka, khul-kantaie earrings, fulli (nose pin), and colourful phullu (foot ornaments for newlyweds). Pahari (hill) women also wear chandramalang coin necklaces, and hansli collars. In Kinnaur, married women wear khul-kantaie earrings made on a cloth strap, along with the digra shawl pin and mulmentho chains. In Lahaul-Spiti, ornaments feature semi-precious stones and the chakk, a domed-shaped head ornament.
Many artisans incorporate Tibetan influences using coral, turquoise, amber, and mother-of-pearl. There is also the “Kangra" pattern. This comprises of finely crafted silver anklets adorned with interconnected bird motifs. Like other tribal communities in India, Himachali tribal attire includes various ornate accessories.
Memory Vault
In 2023, actor Kangana Ranaut wore a traditional chakk, a popular headgear from Himachal Pradesh. This sparked a discussion about India's jewellery heritage. Most of the authentic tribal designs from Himachal are now the preserve of museums like the Kangra Art Museum in Dharamsala. They can also be found in the State Museum in Shimla and the Bhuri Singh Museum in Chamba.
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