Gifts from India

Most towns in India have a jewelry bazaar. Older pieces are generally better crafted, but these are not necessarily on dis¬play. It is always a good idea to ask the jewelry-seller whether he has any old silver, and he may well extract some interesting items from his drawer. Bhuj (Kutch), and towns and cities in Rajasthan, Kashmir and Orissa are good places to buy silver, while Hyderabad is world-famous for its cultured pearls, but the best worked gold is often found in the south. The centre of the semi-precious stone trade is Jaipur.

Paintings on cloth, paper and even ivory are best purchased in Rajasthan, particularly in Jaipur, and in Orissa. Most papier-mache products come from the Kashmir valley, but can be bought all over India. The most interesting basketry is found in Assam and Bihar, and the best patterned matting is made in Tamil Nadu and Assam.

Carved and painted wood can be found all over India, but primarily in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, famous for its sandalwood carving. Lacquered wood comes from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Kerala.

Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is by far the most prolific centre of brass production, although Moradabad brassware can be bought all over India and at many other places throughout the world. Dokla (lost-wax figures) are made in the tribal belt that runs through Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, and are best bought in the state government emporia. Clay pots and figurines of animals or dolls are made all over the subcontinent, and are easy and cheap to buy, although fragile, and heavy to carry.