Page 724 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

722  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

What to Buy in India

Shopping in India is a fascinating experience, since the bazaars and boutiques
showcase a wide range of the country’s decorative arts and crafts. The quality can
vary, but the choice is enormous. Superb jewellery, colourful textiles, handicrafts and
artifacts, as well as aromatic spices and herbal products, are all available. There are
also elegant contemporary interpretations of traditional designs. In many places
visitors can watch artisans at work and buy directly from them.

Lacquerware
Bowls and platters in red and black lacquer
were originally imported from Burma. Many
of these can still be found in Chennai and on
Kochi’s Jew Street (see p647). Brassware
A wide variety of perfectly proportioned ritual
and utilitarian objects, such as boxes and lotas
(water pots) were once an essential part of
every household. They are now freely available
in antiques shops all over India.

Silverware
The choice of intricately carved and
embossed silver artifacts includes salvers,
candlesticks, nut bowls and decorative
objects. Different parts of India usually
specialize in a particular craft. Odisha is well
known for its delicate filigree, while in Gujarat
and Rajasthan, silversmiths carve elaborate
designs on a solid base.
Stoneware
Stoneware is strongly influenced by the pietra dura motifs on the
Taj Mahal (see pp178–9). Designers have now created a select range
of tableware for the modern home that uses
white marble as a base, with
delicate patterns printed
in silver and gold foil.

Jewellery Gold necklaces
Exquisite gem-encrusted kundan and enamelled meena kari and bangle
jewellery from North India (see p365), as well as gold
ornaments from the south, are available in
jewellery shops. Tribal or rural-style
silver jewellery is also sold.

Navratna necklace
Silver anklets, bracelet and armband and emerald earring

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