The antique jewellery exhibition, ‘Ancient Secrets’, being organised at Prince Jewellery, East Fort, will conclude on December 24.
The exhibition include originals, reproductions and originals remodelled to suit modern tastes from Chettinad, Travancore and Mughal era.
Prince Jewellery was the first to revive the interest in antique jewellery. The highlight this year is a necklace of gold and rubies, with all symbols associated with Siva along the side, equally spaced. The centrepiece is a lingam, followed by the ‘udukkai’ to the right of the wearer with a golden snake coiled in the centre and raising its hood; Devi, Trishulam, Ganga, a flower and ‘rudraksha’ line up on the right.
“Those days, jewellers used to work with their hands and tools creating intricate designs that are difficult to replicate today, except by traditional jewellers,” explains Princeson Jose, chairman, Prince Jewellery.
“Many families refuse to part with their heirlooms even when we promise them a good price because it is a precious part of their collection,” he adds, stressing the value of these pieces.