Our Heritage pieces are truly one-of-a-kind treasures, each one carefully curated for its exceptional craftsmanship, provenance, and character. These pieces are selected with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring they embody the timeless elegance and cultural richness that define our collection. Because every Heritage item is unique, only a single piece is available, making each acquisition a rare and meaningful addition to any collection.
Each Heritage item is entirely handcrafted using centuries-old techniques that are deeply rooted in India’s rich jewellery traditions. Every piece is thoroughly inspected and expertly fitted by us to ensure it meets the standards of contemporary wear. Together with the client, we review whether any custom adjustments are desired, ensuring the piece aligns perfectly with modern comfort while preserving its historical integrity.
Heritage pieces are delicate and need to be handled with care. Please store your jewellery in the supplied pouches and cases, to prevent them from scratching.
Please avoid contact with water, perfume, other liquids or strong substances.
When not worn, we strongly advise jewellery from our Collections to be stored in the supplied pouch and cases. With the exception of enamelled surfaces, your jewellery can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and soft jewellery polishing cloth. Avoid any soap
Items featuring waxed cotton cord should be kept away from water and other strong substances.
In our workshop we have a team of specialists who are experts in any restauration, restringing, stone setting or restauration challenge. Please contact concierge@vangelderjewellery.com for a consultation
India, Rajasthan, Bikaner, 19th century
SKU: C10
A set of six gold open worked bangles. The edge of the larger pair is set with white sapphires and emeralds, or alternately with a work of closely knit pearls, moti jali. The four smaller bangles are decorated with open worked poppy flowers, set with small pearls and an emerald bead in the centre.
These bangles are an example of one of many typical wedding ornaments. No single ornament, however, serves this purpose throughout the Indian subcontinent, as, for instance, the wedding ring does in the West.
If an imaginary line is drawn between northern and south India, it can be said that to the north of this division marriage symbol ornaments are worn on the head, nose, wrist and toes; and to the south they are worn suspended from the neck. All the matrimonial ornaments and jewellery have the basic function of protecting against evil spirits
The forms of jewellery and ornaments also indicate the wearer’s geographical place of origin, religion and also caste.
In some areas, the primary marriage symbol ornament must be of gold, a metal considered to be ritually pure and sacred to the gods.
Literature
Untracht, Oppi Traditional Jewelry of India, page 180, ill.354
