थेवा (Thewa)
Thewa is a technique unique to Pratapgarh, Rajasthan, in which an intricate filigree design is wrought in 24-carat gold sheet, fused directly onto colored Belgian or Bohemian glass, and set in a gold frame. The result — vibrant mythological or courtly scenes in gold against jewel-colored glass — is among the most technically demanding jewelry traditions in India. For most of its documented history, Thewa was practiced exclusively by the Raj Soni family of Pratapgarh. This single-family inheritance makes Thewa one of the most acutely endangered craft traditions anywhere in the world.
Risk level: Critically Endangered · Not Listed
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