 The
history of Indian art unravels a variety of breathtaking
jewellery that reflect the varied and intense moods of Indian
heritage. Timeless pieces of art and jewellery have held the eye
captive with its fascinating designs and colours. These artistic pieces
of jewellery are a culmination of exquisite workmanship and artistic
perception. Flawlessly crafted, using different raw materials and
designs, with great attention invested on intricacy and detail, they
are matchless in beauty and range.
Many jewellers manufacture this kind of antique designs only on special
orders, but these are ethnic jewellery pieces in antique designs.
Such pieces are auctioned very soon and jewellers get a very good
price for them. It is generally those from the upper crust of society
who buy them and they can cost anywhere between Rs 80,000 to
lakhs of rupees depending on the intricacy of the work, its antiquity
and authenticity!
Determining the authenticity of a piece of jewellery is not an
easy job. Almost always, the piece is sent to experts or archaeologists
for certification of its authenticity. Jewellers source such
items through advertisements.
Here are some tips for identifying an antique piece and determining
its verifica tion
of antiquity and price:
Get it verified and checked by experts and never trust the jeweller's
word for its pricing.
Always check the colour of the jewellery. A 'bronze' tinge
determines the value of the piece.
Look for 'Nakkash design' which is the dye work on the jewellery.
A piece of jewellery can be called an antique piece only
if it is more than 70 years old. Stone studded temple
jewellery is also considered as antique jewellery. "T his
kind of exclusive jewellery is made only in India. Because of its
exclusiveness and unavailability abroad, it is often smuggled out
of the country. The price abroad doubles or triples the Indian price,"
says Mr Ram, Proprietor of Neelkanth Jewellers, Bangalore.
Neelkanth Jewellers have been in the antique jewellery
business from more than 10 years and the most expensive antique
piece sold by them was a lamp, which was 70 years old.
Antique jewellery define the wearer and will never go out of fashion.
Though each piece is very highly priced, people who can afford to
buy, still buy. If your purse can stand the squeeze, go ahead and
get yourself that exclusive piece which is sure to leave people
gasping with envy.
Here is a place that sells antique jewellery:
Ratnakala Jewellers
Address: 114 Commercial Street,
Dispensary Road, Bangalore 560001
Phone: 2558 1097.
-Aditi Kumar
Pictures by Somashekar DP
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