7/31/2019 Thewa Art India

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The Thewa Art of Pratapgarh

Like the rest of the state's handicrafts, the glass works of 

Pratapgarh are unique in both design and usage. Besides

beautiful and traditional items such as handicraft items, glass

photo frames, trays, glass art ware, glass jewelry boxes, lamp

shades, flower vases, crystal wine glasses, flasks, glass pots,

antique crystal chandeliers, glass coasters, glass lamp shades and

glass paintings, Pratapgarh is renowned for its Thewa work.

Colored glass base, embossed with golden miniature artwork is

the special attraction of the Thewa work. Floral patterns are etched on gold foil and superimposed on

glass moulds and the glassware is cast in such moulds. Thewa pendants are famous pieces of jewelry

and their blazing hues and exquisite patterns attract women across the world.

Thewa is a traditional art of fusing 23K Gold with multicolored glass. The glass is treated by a special

process to have glittering effects, which in turn highlights the intricate gold work. The whole Thewa

piece is hand crafted over a period of one month by skilled artisans. Thewa, an art that pulsates with

life, caught seemingly in movement, in motifs used on jewellery, which shows the culture, heritage and

tales of romance and valour of Rajasthan with nature and happiness depicting the art of the fine

craftsmanship.

The process of making thewa work is detailed; time consuming

and intricate, taking up to a month to complete each piece. It

starts with broken pieces of terracotta, finely ground, mixed

with chemicals and oil to produce a thick paste. The pastespread on a wooden base has a 23carat gold sheet of 40gauge

thickness set onto the mixture and the free hand design etched

on it. Black paint spread over the gold sheet that highlights the

design so it becomes clearly visible for further detailed work

with fine tools. The craftsman removes the excess gold creating a design often based on the Hindu

mythology or Mughal court scenes, historical events or with fauna and flora motifs.

Shree Nathu ji Soni invented the process; the secrets of the craft that passed directly from father to son

over the generations remains it in the family only, who call themselves 'Raj Sonis’. Many of the members

from this family have been awarded by UNESCO, National & State Government. Some of the finestexamples of this unique form of decorative art are in local museum collections in India as well as abroad

including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert. This ancient art is also manage to

secure place in "Encyclopedia Britannica".