Sep 20 2011
The Assorted Types of Marble Jewelry Boxes Made in India
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India is a country well-known for its famous marble and marble products. In memory of the beautiful wife of the Mughal Empreror Shah Jahan, he built the Taj Mahal entirely in marble. Most curio boxes sold in India are also made of marble. Big marble jewelry boxes are given to brides from Kashmir and Lucknow as part of tradition. The box is usually decorated with tassels and covered with velvet.
Whenever the bride leaves her father’s house, she carries with her the marble box to bring to her husband’s house. People from the North not only use these boxes for storing their precious jewels but also for holding their holy books. The holy book of the Muslims, the Quran, is kept in an ornate box and placed on the top shelf of their cupboard. In order to bring out their natural shine, marble stones are cut, shaped and polished in factories.
A semi precious stone, the onyx, is also sought after because of its translucent and colorful undertones. Jewelry boxes made of marble come in many shapes and colors and they are prized because of their craftsmanship. The common shapes of marble jewelry boxes include rectangle, square, round, oval, round, octagon, and heart shaped. The mesh designs are usually carved on the sides and on the lids of these boxes as well.
Various designs are also painted on these boxes using a combination of gold and black or silver and black paints. There are marble boxes with stone work carefully done to give them brilliance and color. Marble comes in pastel shades of pink, smoky grey, green, and black. In order to achieve these shades, they go through various processing stages in factories. The Jaipur marble boxes are usually light weight and they are very attractive.
Jewelry is safe and secure because of the strong latches. There are decorative boxes shaped like little handbags with a handle and the latch is usually made of brass. There’s also the very popular black marble box with Mughal designs, which is so exquisitely carved. Marble boxes with the image of the Taj Mahal inlaid on them are very common – you’ll find black boxes inlaid with white marble making the contrast more dramatic.
There are also shells and bead work done on some marble boxes. Bangle boxes made of marble are quite beautiful with precious stones embedded on them. Some boxes even have enamel work done on them to achieve brighter colors. Aluminum beading is usually used in order to fix the enamel work.
These exquisitely carved marble jewelry boxes are created by artisans in remote villages in the state of Rajasthan and in the Pink City in Jaipur. These artisans use tools that they make themselves and it is believed that they do not use another craftsman’s tools.
While men do he carvings and the designs, the women do the ornaments with stone work.As their only means of livelihood, these people rely heavily on jewelry box making. The jewelry boxes are sent to Agra and other tourist centers to be sold.
One of the best souvenirs you can take home with you is a beautifully handcrafted marble jewelry box from India.
This article was written by Rachael Celia Berlie and Oliver Ocampo of MarqART Gift Shop. Our jewelry boxes show unique wood grain patterns and colors assembled into beautiful designs of breathtaking beauty. A fine addition to your dressing table or as a gift. Please visit http://www.marqartgiftshop.com to browse & buy exotic jewelry boxes that will give you a lifetime of pleasure!
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