Terra Cotta Jewellery

Terra Cotta Jewellery-Human beings have an inherent love of beauty. The art of making and wearing jewellery dates back to ancient civilizations. Even in pastoral society, the four treasures were, cows, stables of horses, elephants and jewels. The oldest jewellery was made from natural materials such as clay, wood, horn; bone etc.

Terracotta jewellery is one of the oldest forms of jewellery in the world. Terracotta is an Italian word that means “cooked earth”. Its history dates back to the Harappa
and Mohenjodaro civilization. There have been several ornaments like earrings, ear studs, necklaces, pendants, bangles and bracelets found by archaeologists. Clay bangles found in Harappa were coloured and well polished. Many terracotta figurines also have been unearthed that had elaborate depictions of artistic jewellery. The designs were mostly inspired by nature and depicted animals, leaves, flowers and then moved on to traditional motifs and elaborate patterns.

Terracotta Jewellery-Terracotta is hard red earthenware. It is ceramic. It is used to refer to items made out of this material and to its natural, brownish orange color. It is used for making earthen handicrafts and pots and nowadays jewellery etc. They are available in beautiful color combinations.

Today the terracotta jewellery makes exotic dressing style when worn with the traditional nomadic or tribal dresses. In the rural and tribal societies the earthen ornaments like necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and chokers were quite commonly used. They create elegant and rustic appeal. They can take up various earthen colors of pink, red, green, indigo, rust or gray. The traditional shapes can be animals or the tribal gods or a more contemporary look can be given by using abstract shapes and designs.

The varied cultures and moods of Indian heritage have given rise to many challenging crafts which are reflected in terracotta fashion jewellery. They are popular because of their ethnic style and beautiful bright colors. It is a rage among fashion conscious people. They are often handmade and its variety is at par with the expensive items in terms of beauty of design and the variety offered.

The earth is first molded into the desired form and then baked in the kiln or in sun. The uniqueness liesin the fact that it can be molded in numerous ways before baking. Terracotta fashion jewellery can be molded by hands. Different rough and glazed finishes can be given in terracotta jewellery. They are painted, carved or embedded with stones or beads and embossed with patterns. The finished product of different locations takes up different finishes.

Terracotta fashion jewellery has a rustic and a very earthen appeal. It is in vogue as an accessory with the traditional as well as the contemporary casual wear. The
products include necklaces, chokers, earrings, bracelets, bangles, danglers and pendants. One such terracotta jewellery designer is Bindhu Mathai of Aakaar from Bangalore. The other is Hema Subramaniam of Alankriti also of Bangalore.

The process involves purifying the clay, shaping and designing the wet slab. After drying it completely it is fired in a kiln at a very high temperature to give it a stone consistency. When clay is fired, it can take a natural brick colour or shades of brown, pink, or even white, depending on the quality of clay. When clay is fired in the kiln with saw dust, it is burnt a natural black. It is then hand-painted in a myriad of colours to complement ethnic as well as Indo-western outfits.

The exquisite collection includes terracotta jewellery sets as well as just earrings and pendants to suit the dressing style of women of all ages. Alankriti showcases the whole range of exquisite terracotta jewellery at Anagha on Road No. 1, Banjara Hills on 17th & 18th of October, 2008