Leather jewellery range includes myriad ornaments like earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and broaches to name a few that are trendy, stylish and long lasting. The added advantage is they are relatively low cost items as they are produced from scraps. Though, the price varies and sometimes escalates depending on the brands. Each design of the ornament starts from a flat piece of leather and is cut, shaped and glued until it forms a unique piece of jewellery. To get three dimensional look different techniques such as cutting leather; using leather punches; building up layers; rolling and covering wire with leather is used.
History of Leather Jewellery
The usage of leather is not new to India; it was quite prominent even in the ancient time. Leather has played a key role in the development of society. From prehistoric times man has used the skins of animals i.e., leather to fulfil his basic needs, like to make clothing and shelter. According to references in ancient texts, the ancient sages used to sit on deerskin for meditation. Slowly, with time as the civilisation advanced, the usage of leather too took another step and people started using the material for making jewelleries as well.
Leather Jewellery in India
Leather jewellery in India has become a decent and sound industry. Leather ornaments cater not only to local buyers but also the off shore market. The jewellery range comprises all types of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and broaches, which are finished with high quality sterling silver fittings. Fashion jewellery uses various forms of leather like hard leather and soft leather. It can be dyed, embossed, painted, perforated and carved.
Leather is also used to make varied products like shoes, jackets, bags, belts, wallets, leggings, pants, boots and ladies` blouses and skirts to name a few. These leather items can easily be used as substitute of leather jewelleries. Those who are not fond of ornaments but love to do fashion can adorn themselves by wearing a pair of stylish leather shoes by teaming up with a fine leather jacket or as per their preference.
Leather Jewellery of West Bengal
The leather jewellery of West Bengal is well recognized all over the country. Shantiniketan, a name identical with poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, is a small town situated near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India. This culturally rich small town offers various leather products ranging from jewelleries to accessories. Besides necklaces, earrings and bracelets, it offers leather belts which are considered a prominent jewellery item by many ladies. These belts are sometimes decorated with gemstones, oxidized metals that give the belts a striking and rich look. Then the trade mark wallets of Shantiniketan are available in diverse designs and styles. It also has leather sandals, shoes and boots that can be flaunted in various parties or occasion.
States Popular for Leather Products
Different states in India are famous for their unique style of leather jewelleries, accessories and products. Kashmir is famous for its ornamental leather products. Madhya Pradesh is known for its embroidered red leather items. Bikaner is noted for a unique leather bottle made from camel hide. In Rajasthan, beautiful lamp and lampshades are made from leather. In Karnataka, the leather products are painted with epic and mythological pictures. These products are generally done in gold and silver.
