MALAS & KOMBOLOIS
Jewelry from both shores
THE MALA
First introduced over 3,000 years ago, the “Mala”, literally “pearl garland” in Sanskrit, is the meditation necklace used in India and Tibet. It is traditionally made up of 108 wooden or natural stone beads, which can be used to count the number of mantras recited during meditation. The number 108 can be explained in a number of ways, including that of bringing together 3 sacred numbers: the 1 symbolizing the divine, the 0 for emptiness and the 8 for infinity. Over time, the use of mala spread to other Asian countries, then to Europe as early as the Middle Ages.
THE KOMBOLOI
In Greece, mala has taken the form of the famous Komboloi, which men in particular like to twirl on their fingers to bring pearls to the palm of their hands.
This repeated gesture not only passes the time, but also relaxes the body and calms the mind.
THE UNION
Nowadays, malas and kombolois are sometimes used for meditation, fashion or decoration, and rarely as the basis for genuine jewelry creations.
Yet Indian mala was a source of inspiration for the great Parisian jewellers in the early 20th century.
Maison Marathi reinvents it in the form of a precious, refined necklace for everyday wear.
Yet Indian mala was a source of inspiration for the great Parisian jewellers in the early 20th century.
Maison Marathi reinvents it in the form of a precious, refined necklace for everyday wear.
