Thewa art work is a traditional craft of fusing 23-caret hand carved gold foil on coloured glass sheet practiced exclusively by Raj Soni clan of jewellers based in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan. The base material is of precious metals like Gold and Silver. However semi-precious metals like copper and alloys of copper with gold may also be used
The Thewa art work on the gold foil is done in three stages,
- Kandarana (Gold foil is first carved on with a pointed object as an art work),
- Cheerana (Decorating the carved figure with precious and semi-precious stones in artistic manner on the base frame)
- Jaali katana (Cutting the waste material by removing the not required gold foil portion).
The gold foil/leaf at this stage is known as Thewa Ki Patti. The Thewa Ki Patti is now placed on the coloured glass base and heated on an open crucible for fusing the hand-carved gold foil into the glass base surface.
The union of the gold foil with the glass sheet is done without using any kind of glue or pasting materials. The art of fusing the gold foil into the glass surface is a secret art limited only to the artisans of Raj Soni clan.
The background of the gold foil (Thewa ki patti) is usually made of basic colours red, green, yellow and blue glass sheets supported by same colour shiny paper placed inside the base.
Nature, sight scenes like hunting, animals and birds, like dancing peacock, traditional Rajasthani and Gujarati drawings, Portraits of God, Goddess and members of Royal Families and the narrations, designs and stories register in the Maru Gujara paintings are used as drawings for carving out the gold foil.
Utensils like comb, hairband, coat button, photo frame and jewellery items like necklace, lockets, Ladies Shangar Box, Hair pin, Pendant, Earrings, Photo Frame, Tie Pin, Bracelets, Box, Cuffling, Comb, plates etc. can be made by using Thewa art.
GI Tag Registration Date : 31 March 2014
GI Tag Number : 244
Certificate Number : 210
Geographical Area : Rajasthan
Special Cover Release Date : 18 August 2021
Cancellation : Jaipur 302 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.
Enlarged view of Illustration
India post has also issued a postage stamp on Thewa art
Postage Stamp on Thewa Art Work Issued on 15 November 2002
Handicrafts of India
India post has issued a picture post card on Thewa Art Work. Details are furnished below
Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021
Rajasthan Postal Circle
Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021
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