From Royalty to Commons

By Siya Mishra

Photography: Courtesy Vasundhara Mantri

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Jewellery designer Vasundhara Mantri creates exquisite pieces that are a beautiful amalgamation of the traditional with the contemporary.

Vasundhara Mantri

Kolkata-based Vasundhara Mantri falls in that category of jewellery connoisseurs, who nurture the art with creativity and skill. Her latest range, Zenana, recreates the theme of royalty, presenting it in a contemporary avatar with intricately carved stones, reiterating her penchant for making jewellery that is timeless, classy and appealing to all age-groups.

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Having started out by making jewellery from wires, glass and beads to try and invent something unique, she slowly graduated to silver and semi precious stones. Having trained at the Gemmological Institute of America, and motivated by the raving response that her initial pieces garnered, Vasundhara established herself with a flagship store in Kolkata, and continues to fuse Indian, American and European design sensibilities in her craft.

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Synergising design elements from all over the world, Vasundhara’s chunky jewellery comprises semi-precious stones in vibrant colours—such as kundan, pearl, malachite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, coral and tourmaline—set in silver and other metals. “In addition, I also use twisted, braided, woven gold mesh and a variety of other rocks such as agate, druzzy quartz and other spirited coloured glass rocks.” While she retains the innate traditional qualities of the materials, she also gives them a contemporary twist by incorporating modern design elements, and this is what sets her jewellery apart. “I use designing elements like canvas paintings and intricate handcrafted carved stones, which lend a sophisticated, modern edge to the collection’s ethnic undertones,” explains the passionate designer, whose jewellery is inspired by elements from nature and architecture.  

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Being one among 15 women from all over the world to be awarded The International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge Award 2009, among several other accolades and prestigious exhibition participations, Vasundhara is currently looking forward to the upcoming Baselworld Fair and Hong Kong Jewellery Fair, all set to make her mark internationally. 

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