Divine images in jewellery

As part of my jewellery research, I often find myself returning to the realm of the divine. The act of wearing sacred imagery is a deeply layered and, at times, controversial practice. For some, the human body is considered impure. We touch unclean surfaces, walk through dusty streets, and harbour impure thoughts. In such a view, the body is not a worthy vessel for divinity, and sacred images are best left untouched by human adornment. On the other hand, others argue that if the divine is omnipresent and omnipotent, then humans, who are also part of the divine creation, can wear these images. To wear or gaze upon these symbols regularly is believed to purify the mind, channel good intentions, and guide one’s thoughts, words, and actions.

Then there is the idea of beauty. Divine imagery is often seen as beautiful and its incorporation lends more beauty to the jewellery. As a Pichwai artisan told me last year, in Hindu temples, there is no divine without Shringaar and Alamkara (beauty and adornment) and therefore, it makes sense that adornment in the form of jewellery with divine imagery are created to elevate the ideals of beauty followed in the society.

Divine images in jewellery

Growing up in Tamil Nadu, I was surrounded by divine imagery – on calendars, book covers, prayer rooms, magazine covers, and billboard hoardings. Every corner seemed to echo a sense of spirituality, and jewellery was no exception. Metal pendants engraved or repousséed with images of gods and goddesses were common. Alongside these were “Saami daalar” (God pendants) with painted or printed pictures of deities encased in glass or resin, worn as rings or pendants. They they were protective, intimate, and spiritual objects that often became a part of everyday attire.

Naturally, I gravitated towards picture jewellery as a designer and continue to use divine images in my work. I find myself both respecting the sacredness of the divine, while also believing that adorning oneself with such imagery can be an expression of beauty.

Divine jewellery of Buddha

Inspired by Rozantia who used the precious art beads in her collection in her wire jewellery, I dug through my small box of art beads. I found these Buddha Beads, made by Claycult Cambodia. Some of you might remember how I worked with them when I visited Cambodia in 2018.

As someone outside the Buddhist tradition, I hesitated, unsure of the appropriate way to honour these icons. Therefore, these glazed beads remained unused until now. But then I realised that I could treat them with the same respect I afford to Hindu or Christian symbols: by creating something beautiful, wearing it mindfully, and sharing my appreciation through my designs.

To make the earrings, I wire wrapped rhinestone chatons (4 holed) on artistic wire and used the same wire to thread and loop the Buddha beads. I made earhooks using the same wire to match. While the chatons looked pretty (and sparkly!) they kept moving. Therefore, I added a tiny bit of B7000 glue at the point where they meet the bead to keep them in place. The result was subtle, spiritual, and sincerely crafted.

Divine jewellery – of Shrinathji

Over the past few years, I’ve developed a practice of creating jewellery to wear on a trip. As an extension of my bejewelled travel series, I try to wear or create jewellery that resonates with the architecture or cultural significance of the location. One such example of connecting a piece of jewellery to a place can be seen in my latest reel of jewellery memories when I wore a pair of earrings that I bought at Lepakshi Handicrafts to Lepakshi (the place).

For my trip to Nathdwara, Rajasthan, I created a pair of resin earrings featuring an image of Shrinathji, the form of Krishna worshiped at the town. I used a combination of both organic and geometric shapes – teardrop studs, lotus bead dangler and a rectangular bezel for the image.

I wore them with joy on my visit, and a passerby at the temple remarked with amusement that “I am carrying Shrinathji (on my ears) and roaming around.“

Krishna amidst snow

In 2018, I had made a necklace of pearls, titled snow for the Art Elements “White” themed challenge. I wore it 1-2 times and kept it safely (read forgot where I kept it). Once I rediscoveres it, I decided to freshen it up a bit. I glued one of the painted beads that I got in Jaipur last year to the pendant and encircled it with tiny metallic crystal beads. The bead has a painted image of Shrinathji. I finished it up some bead danglers. I wore it along with a brocade jacket at an alumni event that I hosted and it looked both elegant and unique.

Jewellery has always been more than ornamentation for me. It’s a language of memory, identity, and devotion. I hope these pieces help you see divine images in jewellery as both objects of beauty and as carriers of belief.

 I hope you find it interesting

Cheers