Named after the community of jewellery makers, who act as the craft’s custodians, Patwa is a traditional craft of Rajasthan. The name comes from the Hindi word pat, which means silk. This thread craft is incorporated into jewellery, accessories, and small items.

The craft is woven into the material culture of the Patwa community, which also practices agriculture. They mainly work with gold and silver resham (silk) threads, along with beads, kundan studs, and other embellishments. The artists add their distinctive touch on jewellery as well as other accessories like ghagras, parandis for the hair, tassels, anklets, and rachis for festivities. They use different types of yarn with simple tools and handmade techniques such as twisting, braiding, plaiting, wrapping, knotting, and netting.

In the earlier days, artisans would often travel around villages and towns selling and repairing jewellery. Even as the practice has dwindled, one still finds practitioners of the craft. Apart from Rajasthan, artisans have migrated to metropolitan cities, such as Mumbai, where they practice their craft. There's a resurgence of interest in this craft among younger generations. This also helps boost new expressions.

The Patwa community attributes the tradition to a mythological tale. The story goes that there were no priests to conduct the wedding ceremony of the deities Shiva and Parvati. The lord of Divinity in Hindu mythology, Vishnu, created a man to perform the wedding ceremony, and a woman as well. Vishnu then instructed the couple, after the ceremony to make jewellery out of silk threads for their livelihood. The artists believe this laid the foundation of the Patwa community and craft.

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