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Jewelry of Bangladesh

From the earliest time Bangladesh is using and adapting many metaphors, cultures from Sanskrit. From that time the practice of wearing jewelry and other articles in both male and female is going on. From 1st and 2nd century B.C to 3rd century the rich tradition of wearing various types of jewelry is still secured its place among all the people of Bangladesh. Mahasthanghar and mangalcot in Bangladesh and Chandraketugarh and tamluk in west India, that indicates the presence of a prosperous society with a rich tradition of jewelry.

These depiction of early Bengal, seems to indicate that at the beginning of the Christian era men used headgears and turbans of various designs. They also seems to compete with their female counterparts in using heavy neck, arm and ear ornaments, these products and designs are very similar with later periods. In the evidence of Sanskrit those products were similar to graivayaka, parkandakaa and kanchamala. For the study of the continuation of the tradition of jewelry in the later period we have to wait for the stone and wooden sculpture. these black stone sculpture, of Bengal between 8th to 13th Centuries, are adorned with profuse jewelry, the design of which are so detailed and avail that, it is no wonder that many of these seem to have been copied by the present day jewelers.

The subah-e-bangala or Bengal, being one of the most prosperous province of the mungal empire, with its rich trade of fine muslin, saltpeter and other products attracted various artisans and craftsmen. Then the muslin and the jewelry of Dhaka were very popular in eastern India for their great design and beautiful piece. In 1851 for these great artwork in jewelry and muslin Dhaka won prize in a exhibition in London. By the end of the 18th century, the arts and crafts that were perfected under the patronage of the Mugals, began to lose their importance.

Previously, in the making of jewelry very little alloy was mixed with pure gold. But now, the extreme pliability of pure gold was found unsuitably for the new designs and methods introduced under European influence. Sliver and chandi though has a beautiful luster and moon like brilliance, ornaments of it traditionally have always been used by the women belonging to the lower starata of the society and for making ankle ornaments. Traditionally, gold being the lower strata of the society and for making ankle ornaments. Traditionally, gold being synonymous to wealth and as such sacred, has been forbidden to be used on the lower half of the body. That’s why silver is preveleged to use leg anklet by both rich and poor.

The global influence, combined with the exorbitant price rise of precious metals, have led the modern women of Bangladesh, to turn to other untraditional materials for adoring and beautifying themselves. Thus we find that burnt clay or terracotta, wood, coconut shell, bell metal, etc. are used by the modern jewelers to make the piece more attractive. Just a little patronage and encouragement of the society is needed for these craftsman to carry on their art.