Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil are basically stone/jewel studded temple jewellery made exclusively at Vadacherry near Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. It include head gears, coronets and special ornaments for temple deities. Bharatnatyam dancers also wear same type of jewellery for their performance.
They are quiet heavy looking and with stones all-round embedded with gold foil. Red, Blue, Green and white stones are used for the making and the popular designs are makari, naga, yali, swan, parrot, mango, etc. Jewellery for common use-jewels like Mookkuthi, Necklace, Maathi, Jimikki, Valaiyal, Metti are used by the common people.
During the course of time the gold gave place to silver and so is the real diamonds to synthetic stones. Mostly used by the Bharatnatyam dancers these jewels started finding market in the metropolitan cities as a substitute for real gold ornaments.
As the craft technique is a father-to-son Passover the exact origin is not recorded. However according to craftsman the origin of this craft could be traced to the early 17th century or even before.
The design to be made is drawn on a paper. Silver sheet is cut to shape of design. Then the silver tape is curled and vertically welded on the surface of the precut silver sheet. Bees wax is mixed with the fine powder of a stone locally available called as ‘Kittakkal’. This mixture is heated and filled in the cavities.
The sides and back portion of the ornament is electroplated in gold in older to achieve a glittering uniform gold look. Then the stones are set on these cavities on wax. Gold leaf is fixed on the exposed wax in between the silver line and the stone with the use of a small pre-heated “Kathir” (a small chisel like tool curved at the tip).
This process involves carefully applying a layer of pure gold, enhancing the beauty and radiance of each piece. Not only does this gold coating elevate the aesthetic appeal of the jewellery, but it also ensures its durability and resistance to tarnish, making it a lasting symbol of elegance.
GI Tag Registration Date : 09 April 2007
GI Tag Number : 65
Certificate Number : 39
Geographical Area : Tamil Nadu
Special Cover Release Date : 13 August 2021
Cancellation : Nagercoil 629 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : TN/09/2021
The cover has a small replica of Temple Jewellery design on foil sheet with synthetic beads. 2000 Nos of covers are issued and each cover is numbered.
Enlarged View of Cancellation
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