This book documents a wide range of traditional jewelry from South Asia, organized alphabetically by item name. Each entry includes a description of the piece, its materials, cultural significance, and region of origin. Examples include the Ayigala Necklace with its silver Lingam casket, the Aping Hullo nose plug of the Apatani women, and the Basta Kada bangle of the Rabari tribe. The book…
The South Asian Archive: Jewelery is a reference book that catalogues traditional ornaments from South Asia, primarily India and neighboring regions. It is intended for readers interested in cultural heritage, jewelry design, and ethnography.
The book opens with a copyright page and table of contents listing entries alphabetically from A to Z. The first entries cover necklaces, waist belts, nose plugs, armlets, and bangles, each with a dedicated page or spread.
Entries such as the Ayigala Necklace describe silver pendants with temple motifs and hidden chambers. The Arai Patti is an antique silver waist belt from early 20th-century South India, used with sarees.
The Aping Hullo is a traditional nose plug worn by Apatani women of Arunachal Pradesh, made of wooden discs. The Aad is a Rajasthani bridal necklace with multi-layered gold work and precious stones.
Later entries include the Bazu Band armlet, the Benyop Belt of the Wancho community, the Basta Kada bangle of the Rabari tribe, the bindi forehead mark, and the Cheptesun earrings from Nepal and Sikkim. Each entry explains materials, cultural symbolism, and regional origins.