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Indian Art
Objects
During your True Luxury
Shopping tour you will be offered a variety of rare and unusual art
objects fashioned from common materials to precious metals.
Each item has been
meticulously made to the highest standard by India’s top artisans and all
objects are made by hand. Years of research and searching throughout
India for the finest hand-made products led us to the few suppliers that
True Luxury Tours uses for the supply of these art objects. Following is
a list of objects that will be offered to you on your True Luxury Tour.
Thewa Objet d’ Art
The art
of Thewa started in the 17th Century by the Soni family. This
family has kept the art of Thewa as a proprietory secret art form kept
within their family with the techniques being carefully guarded and
handed down from father to son.
Different colored red, blue, green and black stained glass is used to
produce the background of a Thewa art object. The desired piece of glass
is encased in a frame of gold plated silver wire. A thin sheet of pure 22
karat gold, of the same size as the glass, is then cut and a free hand
sketch of either flora, fauna or historical motifs is engraved, on the
gold sheet, by handmade tools. The engraving is then dipped in acid for a
unspecified time and then washed thoroughly with water. A mixture of
cinnamon oil and a local material known as 'Ratti' is brushed at the
back, to prevent the precious metal from melting. The glass is then semi
fused and the engraved pattern in 22 karat gold is carefully slipped over
the edge and pressed onto the surface of the glass. The ornamental object
or jewel is reheated until the gold and glass fuse firmly together. In
some cases a thin silver foil sheet is fixed on the backside of the glass
to give a uniform luster.
These
simple raw materials and techniques used in the process of Thewa stand in
sharp contrast to the high finished high quality art objects. Beautiful
bowls, trays, boxes and jewellery articles are made in the Thewa
technique. True Luxury Tours has only the top Soni artisan produce Object
d’ Art for our clientele. He has won numerous national awards and has
been decorated for his art by both a Prime Minister and President of
India.
Exquisite articles of Thewa work can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum
of Art in, New York. There is a large Thewa plaque in the collection of
the Geological Museum in London and Queen Elizabeth ll of England has, in
her personal belongings, an intricate Thewa box with carved Hindu
narrative stories.
Coconut
The finest grained coconut wood is fashioned into bowls, forks, spoons
for soup and serving, and combs.
Water Buffalo horn
The finest quality horn is fashioned into bowls, combs, serving spoons,
and art objects.
Each piece is selected by quality of the grain, light translucency, and
durability.
Silver Filigree
This art is practiced in different parts of India but one family
producing Silver filigree art objects excels in the execution of this
art. Fine lace-like patterns are made into open filigree that decorates
bowls, coasters, hairpins, art objects, trays, and jewellery.
This art is extremely difficult to undertake, as the artisan must be
aware that no sauder drops on the silver while working.
Alabaster carving
The art of carving Alabaster was first practiced in India in the 17th
Century. Today the family descendents of these first artisans produce
finely carved filigree art objects such as miniature screens, lamps in
all sizes and boxes. The finest translucent alabaster that has no cracks
or inclusions is used. True Luxury Tours offers this selection of fine
art objects by introducing you to a National Award winning artisan.
Jutis
These embroidered shoes and slippers are commonly found throughout India.
The specialized art of producing Jotis to a master shoemakers level has
almost been lost.
One master artisan and his family still follow the finest shoe making
methods to produce finely embroidered Jutis made of cotton, silver and
gold wire and camel leather.
Silver objects embedded with precious gemstones
One master artisan on your True Luxury tour produces vases, trays, desert
serving sets, and boxes made of filigree sterling silver and completely
covered with precious natural sapphire, ruby, emerald, amethyst, peridot,
and garnet.(http://www.princelypieces.com)
Sterling Silver and Silver Objects and silverware
Finely produced sterling silver forks, knives, spoons, trays, champagne
flutes, wine glasses and plates are made in many international and Indian
patterns by hand to the highest level of quality control.
Enamel
The art of enameling has been practiced in India for 400 plus years.
Objects in both silver and gold are embedded and decorated by coloured
enamel in floral, geometric and fauna patters. Bowls, dishes, vases,
boxes, perfume bottles, decanters, cigarette cases, and many other
objects are available including jewellery.
Balaposh
Only one surviving member of the family that produced all blankets for
the Mughal Court makes this rare art. The proprietary method of making
Balaposh is kept secret. Fine silk is fashioned into blankets with either
perfume-scented cotton or plain cotton being placed within the blanket.
The key to this art is that no stitch is used against the stuffing and
after the blanket is completed the stuffing never shifts are wrinkles. |
