Rare Objects from the Amrapali Collection
A book that celebrates the intricate relationship between India’s mythology and her jewelled arts. Most of us do not realise it, but religious ideas in India reached the masses through Symbols and imagery inscribed on jewellery and household artefacts. Texts were accessible only to a sliver of the population, the educated elite: the rest relied on ornaments and objects. I have written on mythology as revealed in texts, but this is the first time I have an opportunity to explore how religion reaches the home through ritual objects.
These objects the Amrapali Jewels Museum would have sparked conversations within the family, enabling the transmission of sublime concepts.
They are rare for more reasons than one, for this is how ideas reached the farthest corners of the land over hundreds of years. This book is an opportunity to showcase these overlooked mediums of Indian wisdom.
— Devdutt Pattanaik
The Amrapali Jewels Museum is a fitting tribute to India’s extraordinary history, both ancient and living. From this magnificent collection, The Adornment of Gods thoughtfully curates fifty rare and exquisite antiques, with Devdutt Pattanaik narrating their stories as only he can. Each object is a small but significant part of Indian history, its motifs and materials offering a unique perspective on the country’s cultural heritage. As we look at these pieces, marvelling at the workmanship and skill that led to their creation, Devdutt’s words open our minds to the worlds they hold within.
