Ancient Indian Costume c7.s2.3

c7.s2.3

Besides this, the art of enamelling was known, as well as inlay work in shell and mother-of-pearl. Gold beads were beautifully filigreed or filled with lac, while others had cores of jasper and turquoise paste and were strung on thread or wire to be worn as short necklaces called *kantha*, or long ones worn between the breasts known as *hara*. Stringing coins to be worn as necklaces, called *nishka*, was in vogue. The torque, a simple necklace of gold wire, was worn by foreigners. It was a characteristic ornament of the Scythian and Celtic people and was worn as a mark of distinction by the Persian and Parthians, all of whom were of the same stock, as were the Sakas and Kushans. Shell and terracotta beads continued to be strung and worn by the poorer classes.