Kite Shape Thewa Pendant Jewellery
Thewa is a 400-year-old art of making jewelry and has its origin in Rajasthan. It started under the patronage of Maharawat Samant Singh in the Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan. Thewa, which means “setting” in a literal sense, is a unique way of fusing gold and colored glass to create magnificent pieces. The invention of this at is credited to Nathu ji Soni, whose family kept the craft a secret to be passed from father to son only. It is said that the same family has been practicing the art ever since it was invented and the secret still remains with them. They call themselves “Raj-Sonis” now and some of their family members have received awards from the Government and also from UNESCO. To motivate this form of art, the Government of India issued a postage stamp in the year 2004 commemorating Thewa. Thewa continues to be an inimitable form of art because of the amount of labor, craftsmanship and detail that goes in the making of a single piece of jewelry.
It is generally seen that the designs in the Thewa jewelry are inspirations from Hindu mythology. They also narrate the folklore of courage and romance in the form of visuals. Depiction of nature is again a common choice for the base design. The themes are innumerable, ranging from historic scenes involving famous battles to portraits of rulers or even the Indian gods such as Lord Krishna. A lot of motivation also comes from the flora and fauna which renders a lively touch to the jewelry. In general, Thewa resonates with the rich heritage and culture of Rajasthan. It owes it colorful and vibrant nature to the themes chosen from life, nature, history and myth. Thewa is hence, more than a beautifully designed piece of ornament; it is a way of life for many.
Thewa is one of those few crafts of making jewelry which use a variety of colors that are normally absent in others. This blend of colors, glass and hard work demands a huge price but there are portals from where you can get original pieces for reasonable rates also. The jewelry and items are generally expensive not just because of the design, but also because of the consummate skills and the elaborate handiwork that nurtures every single Thewa ornament. Undoubtedly, Thewa is a masterpiece in any form, be it jewelry or other items such as vases, chandeliers, wine glasses, lamp shades and many more. Thewa, as an art form in jewelry, is indeed a pride to our nation!