Bracelet

Unknown

19th century · Pierced gold foil over glass (thewa work) · Islamic Art

Using a technique called thewa, the maker of this bracelet carved scenes of Hindu subjects and animals out of a delicate sheet of gold foil that was then fused to green glass. According to reports recounted by craftsmen in the district of Pratapgarh (in Rajasthan) where the bracelet was made, this technique originated there in 1767, when it was developed by a goldsmith named Nathuni Sonewalla. Passed down from one generation to the next, the process remained a closely guarded secret until the twentieth century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Pierced gold foil over glass (thewa work)

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1960