Assamese Jewellery is a traditional artform of handicraft belonging to the two most ancient industries namely, Gold washing and Manufacture of jewellery. Gold Dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of Assam. The earliest reference of gold in Assam is found in the Arthasastra besides other classical texts.
“Assamese
Jewellery by no means without merit. It incurs the stock reproach of
being unfinished, it is no doubt crude and precious stones used are not
very precious or very well-cut. But it is quaint and characteristic. The
Gold used is of High degree of purity”, as said by F.C Hanniker in
his monograph on gold and silver wares of Assam. A large number of Gold
and Silver is used in making of Assamese ornaments.
Assamese
Jewelers or Artisans have been using 24-carat gold to make exclusive
and exquisite range of jewelries from ancient times. Later on, till the
present times, considering the affordability of jewellery loving people,
Assamese traditional jewellery is being made either on silver by
topping it with liquid gold or gold foils plated on silver. Hence, it
can be said that there are two varieties of Assamese jewelries. One
category is called “Kesaxon” (meaning Gold Plated) and the other is
called “Xun Paanisoruwa” (meaning Gold Dipped/Polished). The practice of
Assamese traditional jewellery making is thriving majorly in the
districts of Jorhat, Nagaon and Barpeta of Assam.
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