Arts & Crafts: Rex Tours, Jaipur

Jewelry and Gemstones
In Jaipur, one of the largest centers in the world for gem cutting and polishing, it is not unusual to find its shops full of piles everything from onyx and cat's eye to lapis lazuli, carnelian, garnets, amethysts and topaz and on the other end of the scale rubies, emeralds and diamonds. Semi-precious and precious stones come to Jaipur for cutting and polishing and use in jewelry, but also carved are in figurine and statues.

Jaipur is also a major center for enameled jewelry, also known as kundan. Uncut stones usually Diamonds, are set into gold: the black uses enamel ornamentation in the techniques so that figures and floral designs can be set within hollows created by gold lines within which rich patinas of enamel are painted in.

Visit to goldsmith's studios will be amazing to see these craftsmen work in such dim light surroundings and using such few tools, mostly unsophisticated, creating some of the finest treasures of the world from the humble areas.

Leatherwear
The hides of the animals have been intelligently used as jutees, the embroidered footwear the people wear or as saddles, bags and pouches. It is even used as backs for chairs after it has been embroidered with woolen motifs. For something so ordinarily functional, it is amazing how leather is beaten, tanned and dyed, is given over to such consummate artistry.

The leather is punched and gouged to create patterns, studded and sequined for effect embroidered and stitched so that the pair of slip on shoes becomes the statement of style.

Gesso work from Bikaner uses gold on camel hide

Gesso Work
One of the finest crafts to emerge from Bikaner uses the inner hide of the camel. The hide is scraped till it has the consistency of paper and is translucent. This is then molded into the forms that range from lampshades and frames to hip flask, perfume phials or vases. This is then painted over with fine gesso work using gold to lend richness to the otherwise bright reds and greens used in the work.

Metal Crafts
The entire tradition of metal crafts probably arose from warrior's need to embellish his armor. His sword handle was probably damascened, the scabbard worked with gold and set with jewels and the dagger decorated despite its rapier sharpness.

The art of enameling has become merely decorative and in Rajasthan, has been used for everything from tabletops to wall plates, flasks and for crafting objects d'art. Usually done with brass, it has tinsel like quality. These enameled sliver pieces are some of the finest examples of the jeweler and metal smith working together.

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