- One of a kind artisan bead jewellery collection being showcased from 12th Sept
- Collection launches official partnership between Kadambari and Rithihi
- Part of proceeds towards SUNERA Foundation for workshops in hill country
Renowned for telling tales through fascinating jewellery handcrafted to blend history, stories,
cultures and nations, the newest Kadambari collection will be unveiled at the Rithihi flagship
store at Alfred House Gardens on the 12 th of September. Rithihi which has often had designers
of eastern wear launch their latest collections with a series of Rithihi Textile Talks, ventures into
the space of bespoke jewellery with jeweller, designer and historian Rashantha Devanesan
launching her Kadambari Trade Bead Collection with a talk on the 12 th at the Rithihi Store on
Beads, Mantai & Martime Trade Routes.
The tales of beads in ancient cultures and histories are fascinating. The fact that one of Sri
Lanka’s ports known as Mantai – today known as Mannar – was a vibrant trading hub and part
of the Silk Route of the Sea adds to the mystery and magic of beads, “because beads were used
as currency in ancient times,” says Rashantha. It is her love for history, cultures and antiques
that set her on a path to delve into the story of beads. This signature Kadambari collection –
each unique – holds beads with intriguing stories, adding to its significance in trade, maritime
and culture.
pendant
“Jewellery narrates tales through time– tales of roots, history and people from the Middle
Ages,” explains Rashantha, picking vignettes from her talk on the 12th. “The beads used in this
collection bring stories from around the world – from Venice to Italy to Mexico, Morocco, Bali
and Iran. But the highlight is the Nil Gedi from Sri Lanka – handcrafted vibrant blue beads which
held its own as a substitute for blue sapphires hailing from a lively bead making industry in
Ruhuna, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.”
Adding beads into handbeaten Moroccan and Indian silver, repurposed elements from Kandyan
jewellery, portal jewellery that bridges this world to the other, Jatim beads sourced from East
Java, Hebron beads that chronicle tales of the Red Sea and recycled vinyl records made into
vinyl beads with magnificent Millefiori beads added for pizzazz, this Kadambari Collection is a
journey of discovery, exploration and a captivating narrative.
With the launch of this collection which in store from the 12 th of September, Kadambari
jewellery will be a continuous feature at Rithihi, with part proceeds of this collection being
contributed to the SUNERA Foundation for its workshops in the hill country.
