Terracotta jewellery is one of the oldest forms of jewellery in the world. Terracotta is an Italian word that means “cooked earth”. Thus it is hard red earthenware. Its history dates back to the Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilization. The designs of the jewellery back then were mostly inspired by nature and depicted animals, leaves, flowers and then moved on to traditional motifs and elaborate patterns

1. Traditional Terracotta
Jewellery

2. About Terracotta Jewellery
• Terracotta jewellery is one of the oldest forms of
jewellery in the world.
• Terracotta is an Italian word that means “cooked
earth”. Thus it is hard red earthenware
• Its history dates back to the Harappa and Mohenjodaro
civilization. The designs of the jewellery back then
were mostly inspired by nature and depicted animals,
leaves, flowers and then moved on to traditional motifs
and elaborate patterns.
• The varied cultures and moods of Indian heritage have
given rise to many challenging crafts which are
reflected in terracotta fashion jewellery. They are
popular because of their ethnic style and beautiful
bright colors. It is a rage among fashion conscious
people. They are often handmade and its variety is at
par with the expensive items in terms of beauty of
design and the variety offered.

3. • The earth is first molded into the desired form and
then baked in the kiln or in sun. The uniqueness lies
in the fact that it can be molded in numerous ways
before baking. Terracotta fashion jewellery can be
molded by hands. Different rough and glazed
finishes can be given in terracotta jewellery. They
are painted, carved or embedded with stones or
beads and embossed with patterns. The finished
product of different locations takes up different
finishes.
• The process involves purifying the clay, shaping and
designing the wet slab. After drying it completely it
is fired in a kiln at a very high temperature to give it
a stone consistency. When clay is fired, it can take a
natural brick colour or shades of brown, pink, or
even white, depending on the quality of clay. When
clay is fired in the kiln with saw dust, it is burnt a
natural black. It is then hand-painted in a myriad of
colours to complement ethnic as well as Indo-
western outfits.

4. • Terracotta fashion jewellery has a rustic and a
very earthen appeal. It is in vogue as an
accessory with the traditional as well as the
contemporary casual wear. The products
include necklaces, chokers, earrings, bracelets,
bangles, danglers and pendants.
• Today the terracotta jewellery makes exotic
dressing style when worn with the traditional
nomadic or tribal dresses. In the rural and
tribal societies the earthen ornaments like
necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and chokers
were quite commonly used. They create elegant
and rustic appeal. They can take up various
earthen colors of pink, red, green, indigo, rust
or gray. The traditional shapes can be animals
or the tribal gods or a more contemporary look
can be given by using abstract shapes and
designs.

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