Collection: Out of India

Indian Tribal beads are Often Made Using Natural Materials

India is one of the largest bead producers in the world. Ranging from hand-carved wooden beads to tiny glass seed ones, the traditional beads found in India cover a wide range of styles, materials and treatment processes. The beads made in Varanasi are exported in huge quantities throughout the world. The glass beads used today were not found in India until 1700 and were available only in the kingdom of Saurashtra (now southern Gujarat state). With new sets of tools in the modern industry, the artisans have not failed to create newer types of beads with vast colours and imaginative work.

Ranging from hand-carved wooden beads to tiny glass seed ones, the traditional beads found in India cover a wide range of styles, materials and treatment processes. The bead art in India dates back to Indus valley civilization and is said to be 5000 years old. People during that age made beads out of silver, gold, clay, ivory and even wood.

Gujarat is highly famous for its bead work. The artisans in Gujarat are specialized in stitching different types of beads on clothes to make it more beautiful and enhance their appeal. The rows of beads are swirled to form geometrical and floral shapes. All these beads are stitched over the clothes with a vibrant energy. The artisans also turn and convert the beads into fabrics by themselves. This kind of work takes a lot of time, skill and energy. These beads can be used to make bags and other articles because they are very firmly and closely stitched together. The stitching is so strong that there is no need of any kind of textile to hold it together.

Tribal beads: Capturing the essence of different tribal communities in India, the tribal beads are usually made using natural materials such as wood, ivory, iron and sometimes even bones and animal teeth. Often these beads are enamelled in different hues using natural colours and then beautified by using a variety of carving styles by the use of metal wires, sharp animal teeth and knives. Sometimes even chunks of metals like silver, copper or brass are embellished with precious and semi-precious stones to create earthy tribal jewels. The tribals make strings for these beads by using animal hair, fine strips of leather and other naturally available threads.

Courtesy: “All about Beads and Indian Bead Jewellery” – CulturalIndia.net