TRADITIONAL JEWELRY OF INDIA, OPPI UNTRACHT

For someone who is interested in knowing the history the variety of Indian Jewelry, this is a perfect start

I didn't like it.

Un livre magnifique, richement illustré, qui nous dévoile l'incroyable diversité des bijoux traditionnels indiens ; des trésors moghols du XVIIème siècle aux créations actuelles, on suit plusieurs siècles de savoir faire et d'inventivité ; cet ouvrage, considéré comme une véritable référence sur le sujet, a également le mérite de replacer ces parures dans leur contexte culturel, social, religieux et symbolique

Arrived in good time and condition. Beautiful book to add to my jewellery book collection . Worth having, wonderful photographs and informative. Worth the cost

Veramente un collezionista ed appassionato di gioielli etnici non puo' non avere questo libro. E' ben scritto, contiente le informazioni necessarie per capire le tecniche ed il lavoro degli artigiani gioiellieri indiani. Ci sono molte fotografie dei gioielli indossati nel loro contesto rurale, è un libro corposo che non ci si stanca mai di sfogliare scoprendo cose sempre nuove. OTTIMO.

This book is a delight! Having read half of it so far, I already know so much more about the jewelry I love. Mr. Untracht takes a historic and anthropological approach to jewelry in India. He describes how jewelry is used as one important part in a broader spectrum of bodily ornamentation in India. Starting with natural materials, like flowers, feathers and ash, he shows how classic forms developed and were translated into precious metals. He includes the spectrum from tinsel and plastic necklaces made for household shrines to staggering ornaments of gold and precious stones. The pictures are well-chosen: beautiful examples of jewelry, worn by the amazing diversity of people in India. You get much more of a sense of the meaning of the jewelry in people's lives than is provided by books that document museum collections. He also does a good job of showing both northern and southern jewelry traditions and the interplay between the jewelry worn by tribal minorities and that worn by urban people. Because the photos were taken in the 1950's, 60's and 70's, during trips to the farthest reaches of India, they show things that I've never seen while traveling in India starting in the 1980's. The historic element is precious since some of these traditions have died out while others remain visible and strong. If you have one book on Indian jewelry, it should be this one.

Really beautiful book, a definitive work looking at India's tribal jewellery. Some wonderful photos. Really worth getting if you are a fan of tribal/folk jewellery.