Why do we love to decorate ourselves with precious metals and stones? What is it about these objects that we assign so much value to them? Taking inspiration from objects at the Royal Ontario Museum, this one-hour talk explores various jewellery traditions in South Asian history. We look at how gold and silver became more than currency, acting as symbols of protection and family pride. We also discuss why rubies and sapphires held such power, and how the regionals styles and meanings shift throughout South Asian history. Join us to find out how these traditions of wealth and beauty still shape what we wear today.
Optional: bring an item that ties in with the topic to share your story with others (e.g., a memory, a photograph, an object, etc.).
Presented by ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)