Traditional Jewellery of Assam drew its inspiration from its surroundings, nature, musical instruments and things used in day to day life. It is the master crafts of Assam. They are completely handmade and have traditional designs, which are skilfully designed by jewellers of the Assam. Jewellery from Upper Assam is predominately stone studded whereas people of Lower Assam wear jewellery that has intricate gold design with one or no stones.
Features of Traditional Jewellery of Assam
Jewellery designing is an ancient form of art 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 jewellery making were two important ancient industries in Assam. Goldsmiths and gold traders flourished in Kamrup, Goalpara, Barpeta and Sivasagar but Jorhat town and outlying areas became the nerve centre of the gold and silver craft for superior enamelling work known as "Minakari" in Assamese. Dark blue, dark green and white were the preferred enamelling, but red and yellow were used occasionally. An important form of jewellery is "Jaapi", a handmade headgear. The main frame of Assamese Jewellery is made of silver and then it is covered with very thin gold covering. This particular kind of jewellery is very affordable and easy to maintain. The design, shimmer and polish work of the jewelleries are the striking features of Assamese jewellery.
Making of Traditional Jewellery of Assam
The Traditional Jewellery of Assam exhibits the ancient form of art and the skills of the craftsmen. Crafting traditional Assamese ornaments is a painstaking process but the end products are a breathtaking range of ornaments. These are very prestigious traditional ornaments of Assamese people and are mainly prepared by “Sonari†group of people of Assamese community.
Types of Traditional Jewellery of Assam
Necklaces carry names like "Jonbiri", "Dholbiri", "Gal Pata" and "Dugdugi" while "Lokaparo", "Kopo Phool", "Thuria", "Jangphai" and "Dighal Keru" are popular ear-rings. "Jethi Poti" is another delicate work made of a pendant and pieces of clothes kept together in the form of a medallion. The rings have names like "Horinsakua", "Senpata", "Bakharpata", "Jethinejia", "Patia Angathi" and "Babari Phulia Angathi" while a variety of bracelets includes "Gam Kharu", "Baju" and "Kangkan".
