Feminine
jewellery is more complex than masculine jewellery. Jewellery in India is
worn as a complete ensemble and not as an accessory. It is thus quite
acceptable to wear more than one necklace around the neck, also in the
ears, on the toes and fingers, ornaments on the forehead, in the hair, and
so on, any number to be worn at the same time. So it is not surprising
that the royal ladies of Rajasthani were bedecked from head to toe in
jewels so much so that it sometimes was mystery as to how they could carry
the weight of all the jewellery worn.
ORNAMENTATION FOR THE
HEAD
The ladies of the royal family of Rajasthani wore at least
half a dozen kinds of hair jewellery at one time, each with its own name
and specific function. The most common head jewel is the bindi, which has
a central pendant hanging from a string of fine pearls and is worn down
the parting of the hair with the pendant resting in the middle of the
forehead. A variant of this is called the borla in which the central
pendant is semi-spherical and set with precious stones and a fringe of
fine peals. Chains of gold, shaped like the lotus and other flowers ate
worn across the length of the plait. There are flower-shaped hair pins and
hair combs beautifully enameled and set with stones.
ORNAMENTATION
FOR THE NOSE
The nath is a nose ornament which, when worn us
considered to bring good fortune. It is often a ring of fine gold with a
pearl threads between two rubies in its central part. There are many other
kinds of nose rings as well.
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