Ethnic clothes, jewels and much more...
The Mriganayanee (I.A. TNHB Complex 180, Luz Church Road, Mylapore) sale comes up with the best shopping options be it the ethereal zari edged Maheshwaris, gossamer thin Chanderis or beautiful Bagh printed bed and table linen. The emporium has interesting burnt wood tribal wall hangings and furniture pieces as well as sculpted marble images , Bhopal's zari bags, jute dhurries and chiks as well as the prettiest painted papier-mâché birds! For the tribal lover there are Bastar's iron-craft silhouette lamps and well-crafted dhokra work boxes and knicknacks.
The Rajasthan Handicrafts Emporium (TTK Road, Alwarpet) offers an explosion of colours in vegetable dyed block printed saris, bed linen and yardage. Less sophisticated in motif and technique than their Bagh counterpart, the fabric and made-ups are distinguished by blazing colour combinations.
Minakari artefacts and semi-precious jewellery are also on display along with crushed gem artefacts, paintings on silk etc. But easily the most eye-catching items are the Rajasthani carved furniture which include stunning brass inlaid doors, carved dining table sets, very imaginatively carved sideboards and bar cabinets inlaid with glass squares and brass fixings as well as exquisitely carved jhoolas. At 10 per cent off, they are definitely a steal.
The two Village Industries Products and Handicrafts Exhibitions organised by the Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan at Sri Sankara Hall, TTK Road Alwarpet and No.W45/126, 3rd Avenue, Annanagar, have a range of handcrafted items to suit all purses — and all tastes. The gun metal icons and pseudo-Grecian urns have a pedestrian appeal while the Kashmiri walnut wood furniture charms with its impeccable craftsmanship and a more contemporary line in almirahs, wine cabinets, side boards and so on. Also on display are rosewood artefacts from Mysore, Santiniketan's etched and painted leather bags and accessories, bell metal urlis and even Feng Shui frogs! Khadi Gramodyog's pickle, pappads, sweets and agarbathis made by village units are inexpensive quality attractions at the exhibition.
The exhibitions conclude on March 31.
Author : PUSHPA CHARI from www.hinduonnet.com
Tahitian Black Pearl Attribute
Body color and orient
The finer examples of black pearl will normally appear greenish, bluish, pinkish, or violetish in tones of gray through black. This appearance is actually a combination of two factors: body color and orient.
Body color can be thought of as a tonal continuum from gray to black. Orient or over-tone is the result of light entering and refracting through the alternating semi-translucent layers of aragonite (crystalline calcium) and conchiolin, a type of calcium that acts as a binder. The result is similar to the effect of oil on water. Orient is the ephemeral fuzzy glow, like sunlight through an early morning fog, that appears to emanate from and cling to the surface of the pearl.
Orient/overtone can be separated visually from body color by observing the pearl under a light bulb. The orient hue will be seen in the direct reflection of the bulb. The area surrounding the reflection will exhibit the body color. In fine black pearls this test is rarely necessary, as the orient, if present, is normally quite distinct.
It is this distinctive overtone that gives the black pearl its life and its air of mystery, and characterizes the finest of these pearls; it is the defining quality of the Tahitian black pearl.
Specific overtones are given fanciful names. Deep green is called flywing. The combination of green and pink is termed peacock; a dark-toned body color combined with pink is called eggplant. Occasionally pearls have a pure purple or pure blue overtone. Tiffany's famous gemologist G.F. Kunz (see quotation beginning this chapter) held that the green orient, or flywing, was the rarest and most valuable. Writing in 1908, he was speaking of natural black pearls. In cultured blacks, green is the most common orient color. Pink and blue come next in rarity, followed by peacock. Purple is by far the rarest and in my opinion the most beautiful of all.
Luster
Luster, the reflection of light off the surface of the pearl, is essentially the brightness of the pearl. The brighter, the better! In a fine pearl, this reflection is crisp and sharp. As quality decreases, the reflection becomes less distinct. Hold the pearl under a lamp and examine the bright reflection of the lamp on the surface of the pearl. The more distinct the reflection of the light source, the higher the luster.
The luster of the black pearl is some- what softer than the luster of the akoya or the Chinese freshwater pearl. In the relatively warm waters of the South Pacific, nacre accumulates at a much faster rate than it does in the colder waters off the coast of Japan. However, nacre that accumulates in colder water tends to be closer grained, producing a potentially higher luster than is possible farther south. The luster of both the black and white South Sea pearl is softer than that of "cold water" pearls.
Symmetry
The more perfect the shape, the greater the value of the pearl. Round is the most favored shape, followed by pear, oval, and button. Asymmetrical shapes are classified as baroque. Prices of baroque pearls can vary widely. All nuclei implanted in cultured pearls begin as perfectly round and blemish-free; however, nature plays some interesting tricks during the pearl's growth. As a result, the average harvest yields only a very small percentage of perfectly round pearls. Pearls can be found in many un- usual shapes.
Texture
Bumps, blemishes, tiny pits, or anything intruding on the pearl's surface is considered a negative. A silky flawless skin is the most desirable. Most pearls have slight imperfections; the issue is how much they disturb the eye. Dealers are most concerned with how the pearl will "face up," that is, whether imperfections will still be visible when the pearl is set. Pearls with surface cracks are almost worthless.
The rarity factor
Black and white South Sea pearls are, speaking generally, the largest of all pearls. This is a result of two factors: the size of the mollusk itself and the rate of nacre accumulation. The shellfish, due to its large size, can accept large nuclear implants and this, coupled with relatively rapid nacre accumulation, results in very large round pearls. The larger the pearl the rarer it is and the higher the price that will be asked for it.
Large mollusks can accept either a large number of small spherical implants or a very small number of larger diameters. It takes at least twenty-four months to lay down the two millimeters of nacre required to produce a fine black pearl. Thin-skinned pearls lack sufficient nacre to produce a fine luster and a distinct orient. Thin-skinned black pearls often exhibit a muddy brownish secondary hue or mask.
Since larger pearls command much higher prices, the usual grower's strategy is to produce a smaller quantity of larger pearls. With the increasing production of South Sea pearls, both black and white, this situation has begun to change. Growers are beginning to address market demand for smaller pearls. Prices for round pearls begin at 8mm. Black South Sea pearls under 10mm are very difficult to find for the reasons stated above. Prices increase at a reasonable percentage rate to 12mm. Prices for pearls over 12mm increase at somewhat larger percentages.
Above 16mm, prices become negotiable, because, at these sizes, rarity becomes an increasingly important factor in the value equation.
The spread of pearl culturing throughout its growing region is bound to affect prices. Dramatic increases in production in French Polynesia over the past decade have already lowered prices significantly. Although Tahiti has dominated the market for several decades, nascent industries in the Cook Islands and off the coast of Baja California are just beginning to challenge French Polynesia’s market dominance. The spread of the pearl culturing industry is likely to continue. The prognosis for the short term is, therefore, a continued softening of prices.
By Richard W. Wise
Excerpts from the book: Secrets of the gem trade (the connoisseur's guide to precious gemstones)
Copyright ©
Kudus carving art for building decoration
Kudus is a city in Middle Java province, Indonesia. Kudus also near with Jepara city (famous with high quality ethnic carving art). Actually, Kudus more famous as cigarette city, because there are a lot of cigarette industrialists in Kudus city.
Kudus culture history influenced by foreign culture, such as Hindu, China, Persia (Islam) and Europe. I t happened for a long time. We can see Kudus culture in Kudus sculpture / carving art.
Kudus carving art commonly used in traditional building. Result from research indicated, there are some carving art motif, such as : Chinese motif – dragon, Persian / Islamic motif – Jasmine flower, Kudus motif – lotus flower and colonial motif – spiraling upward of plants, crown, vase and animals.
Kudus traditional building has unique and beautiful exterior/interior. It full with ornament and made by artist with high skill level. The design fundamental has beautiful sense and idea, but not collide with religion rules.
The building construction made as knock down, so it is so easy to take apart and set with detail and complex ornament. The inspiration came from Hindu temple with full symbols and style from Java, Gujarat, Persia, China and colonial.
The art ornament looks be one with building mother, because the creator consider a lot of elements, such as : function, structure, ritual aspect, symbol, aesthetics. So in decorative view, it can increase interesting point of the building. The exclusive of local culture in way of life from their building architecture, representative the identity from Kudus with their high carving art and traditional building.
Exclusive primitive Asmat carving art
Have you ever heard about Asmat tribe in Papua province (Indonesia)? Here, a flash information about Asmat carving art. Asmat carving art has exclusive primitive carving art. That’s why, it is so expensive and a lot of collectors hunt the Asmat stuff.
To reach Asmat location, you have to fly with small plane called Twin Otter or rent a plane from Merauke (Papua). Every tourist will be received with happiness and traditional ceremony by them.
“Asmat” word came from AS AKAT, means ebtul human. Some people said, Asmat word came from OSAMAT, that means human from tree. Their neighborhood tribe (Mimika tribe) said that Asmat tribe as “MANUE”. It means :human eat or human eater.
Asmat people have unique and high art and culture. Some of their art and culture :
1.Carving art.
2.Traditional dance.
3.Handicrafts, such as : noken-noken, traditional clothes made from leather.
4.traditional ceremony, such as:
MBIS statue making ceremony (MBIS : forefather statue).
Emak-cem ceremony (Emak : bone house).
Ulat sagu ceremony.
More.
Asmat carving art representative about human texture. The symbols in Asmat carving art mean the spirit of their great grandfather. Some function of Asmat carving art in their life are :
1.Representative the arrival their great grandfather.
2.For sad and proud expression.
3.As symbol of their religion.
4.As symbol of animals, plants and other things.
5.As symbol of the beauty that influence in family and society attitude.
6.As symbol to remember their great grandfather.
Asmat tribe also make mask carving for special ritual/traditional ceremony. The aim of Asmat carving art is to complete their fundamental need as human that the last aim from life is continued from life and happiness human. It was as fundamental motivation for Asmat people to carve, because carving art is used to fill the human happiness.
Tips & tricks buying art on the Internet
Brazilian Art is influenced by the Portuguese and Dutch colonists, which together with the existing ethnic groups and the African cultures are the base for one of the most colorful popular expressions. Now you can buy Brazilian Art on the Internet, without leaving your home.
The following article gives you some tips on how to buy art on the Internet.
Nowadays you don't even have to leave your house if you want to see or buy artwork, because the best way of finding original and innovative art, and also classical art of course, is to perform a search on the Internet.Brazilian Art is influenced by the Portuguese and Dutch colonists, which together with the existing ethnic groups and the African cultures are the base for one of the most colorful popular expressions. Now you can buy Brazilian Art on the Internet, without leaving your home.
The Internet has changed the art market, because it can offer an extremely large number of options, and it introduces anyone to thousands of new artist and creations so it can be said that the Internet brings art at everyone's fingertips.
This means that you can find and buy artwork from almost all over the world just with a few clicks. There are many good sites that are specialized is selling different types of artwork, and some of them also represent artists. At an online gallery you can browse all the artwork available, and buy whatever you desire to choose from the wide range of quality creations. Furthermore, some websites also offer the option of testing how a painting looks when it is placed on a wall that has the colour you desire, so that you can see how it fits in your home.125x125 WildlifeGifts.com
If you decide on buying artwork from an online store do not rush, first browse many categories until you find exactly what you desire, then find some informations about the site from where you wish to buy from, information that proves the site's quality and credibility, and then you can buy the artwork you like. Payment is usually done through paypal or by credit card.
Some say that buying artwork is also an art, and that it has some steps that must be followed - defining, selecting, researching and buying. The art market is quite hard to understand for someone who is new, especially because of the low-value items that are sold as high-value ones, which may trick newcomers, but in fact buying artwork is just like buying any other thing - you have to search for the best deals. Do not forget that there are thousands of art dealers online so there also are fake products sold, too.
On the other hand, if you are an artist and you wish to submit your work to art galleries you can do that easily. Just find the virtual gallery that you want to submit to and contact the owners of the site. This is a great way of making yourself and your work known to many people.
In conclusion, the Internet is perfect for buying artwork, but you can also get fooled if you are not attentive, so try dealing with a serious art dealer.
Author Information:
This article is one of Groshan Fabiola's finest work as a result in reseaching for buying art, http://artscad.com. This delicate subject brings many questions and this article might be a solution to them all. Also there are many useful tips of buying art, http://artscad.com, over the internet, the great source of all documentation and the best market place.
For more information on Brazilian Art and how to buy it through the Internet, just go to our website www.tropicalartgifts.com
Amazing stone from Tiongkok (China): Giok – The info
4000 years ago, an artistic stone called giok stone has been known by Chinese. At that time, the giok carving still rude. Giok has philosophy : the beautiful of the motif and colour representative love. Precisely, the hardness of giok stone representative smart, and the glow of giok stone representative honest.
Giok stone handicraft has a lot of motif and each motif has different mean and representative the Chinese culture. Giok from China / Tiongkok as high class art can be found all around the world. So, China/ Tiongkok called as Giok Kingdom.
Natural giok has 2 variation : soft giok and hard giok.
Old fashioned people called a beautiful woman as Nu Yi, mean princess giok. They consider giok can be a medicine, to pursue bad spirit, protect our home and dead body will not rotten if they have giok stone beside them. Even now, some people still consider with the old traditional statement.
There 2 kinds of giok stone handycraft : as ornament / decoration, as accessory. For ornament, giok stone has big shape. It is used for decoration in the room or meeting room or working room. As accessory, giok can be used as ring, necklace, and other accessory. In the past, giok can be applied in royal hat and clothes.
Giok stone handicraft has a lot of motif and each motif has different mean and representative the Chinese culture. Giok from China / Tiongkok as high class art can be found all around the world. So, China/ Tiongkok called as Giok Kingdom.
Natural giok has 2 variation : soft giok and hard giok..
1.Soft giok has hardness level under 6 but more than 5.
Example : Green giok or called as Qingyu, green white giok or called as Qingbaiyu, white giok or called as Baiyu, Hetian giok from Xinjiang, Xiuyen giok from East Tiongkok / China, Lantian giok from Shanxi, Dushan giok, Mishan giok from Henanand giok from Gubei. The best giok in this level called Yangzhibaiyu / white sheep fat giok. It is the best giok and very expensive. So if you find this giok, it mean you have your luck....
2.Hard giok or called emerald is the king of giok and the price equal as Rubin and Nilam.
The hardness level range is 6,5 – 7. Emerald was formed in hundred thousand years, even million years, so it is very very seldom and expensive. In China / Tiongkok, there are some famous and high quality giok carving art, such as : Beijing carving art, Yangzhou carving art, Fuzhou carving art and Henan carving art. The best giok carving art is from Beijing, because it was empire inheritance. Yangzhou giok carving art has good quality too.
You can use emerald handicraft as your investation, because the price, the elegance and the art.
How to Decorate Ethnic
How to Decorate Ethnic ? "Ethnic decor is more a feeling than a science," says Marcelo Velez of the interior design firm Velez Hayes in New York City. "When you say modern, country, French, et cetera, an instant picture comes to mind. Ethnic decor is different. Many cannot define it, but know it when they see it."
FIVE EASY STEPS TO DECORATING ETHNIC
NEW YORK, NY - With all that is happening in the world today - the threat of war, falling stock prices, a recession (in spite of what economists say) - more and more of us are nesting. That is, we are spending more time at home.
While it is hard to control what happens in the outside world, home is where you decide the who, what, where, when and why. Ethnic decor is filled with endless options to spice up your living space. However, you may wonder, what is ethnic decor.
"Ethnic decor is more a feeling than a science," says Marcelo Velez of the interior design firm Velez Hayes in New York City. "When you say modern, country, French, et cetera, an instant picture comes to mind. Ethnic decor is different. Many cannot define it, but know it when they see it."
This open-ended approach is what makes ethnic decorating fun. It's eclectic, inclusive, colorful and most of all, unique. It allows you to fill in blanks for yourself, using an internal palette to satisfy decorating needs.
Here are five handy ideas to get you started:
Pick a room to start: Thinking in terms of one room narrows your scope so the project doesn't seem overwhelming, while also limiting cost as you feel your way into the project.
Decide which ethnicity(ies) you will focus on: African style is different from Middle Eastern is different from American Indian, et cetera. However, don't be afraid to blend elements from several cultures. Again, that's the fun of ethnic decor - the possibilities are endless.
Start with an object as the focal point and decorate around it: This can be an ethnic painting, a sculpture, a piece of furniture, et cetera. The bigger the better. Be careful, though, not to overwhelm your space.
Choose a color scheme: Ethnic decor is very festive, so think outside the box in terms of colors, patterns, surfaces. Soon, you will find yourself drawn to a few colors that work well together.
Listen to your likes and dislikes; your instincts: Many times, an object or color will "speak" to you. And, if everyone insists that this painting doesn't go with that rug, but you like it, go with it. The final product should make you the happiest.
Now, relax and enjoy!
Author : Yuwanda Black, Co-Owners of EthnicHomeDecor.com
"Bening Aban" : Hand made basket from Dayak Kenyah tribe, Borneo Indonesia
The other hand made ethnic stuff from Dayak Tribe in Kutaikartanegara is a basket called Bening Aban. Usually, Dayak Kenyah tribe used the basket to carry on back their child.
It made from Borneo’s wood and carved with Dayak Kenyah motif. It also decorated with hand made beads and coin. Something that make the basket so exclusive is : the motif of the decoration, the colour of the wood and original hand made from Dayak Kenyah.
Source from: www.kutaikartanegara.com
Dayak unique shield
Kutai Kartanegara belongs to Borneo (Kalimantan) territory. Dayak tribe is one of the biggest tribe that exist in Kutai. They have alot of unique ethnic stuff for manners and customs. Equally, their manners and customs stuff was made from high quality wood from Borneo’s forest and carved with exclusive motif.
One of the unique stuff is a shield (Kelembit) that made from light and strong wood. The front side of the shield was carved with hand. There are 3 variety shield carving motifs : Kalung Tebengaang (Enggang bird motif):
1. Kalung Tebengaang (Enggang bird motif)
2. Kalung Aso’ (Dragon / dog motif)
3. Kalung Udo’ (Mask motif).
Beside for protection from enemy attack, the shield used to use for completion in ritual called Belian, or in their traditional dance, even to protect their body from fire.
It is good too to use the shield for home decoration, because the wood, shape and carving that hand made has strong ethnic feel.
Javanese Puppet, not just puppet
Do you know about puppet, especially javanese puppet. A lot of philosophy in each character and story. Just wait the review.
