Bradford has landed a jewel in its cultural crown with a stunning exhibition of Indian silver jewellery touring the UK for the first time.

The jewellery, some of which is 150 years old, is the largest collection of tribal silver in India.

It has been put together by the Chandrika Foundation and includes silver objects from all over India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, produced by craftspeople from all faiths.

The exhibition, called Chandrika, Silver Ornaments of India, is being held at Cartwright Hall as part of Bradford's Capital of Culture bid, promoting the cultural range within the district's museums.

Among items in the collection are "poison rings" used by Rajasthani women during the Moghul empire. If their husband was killed in battle, the women would take their own lives by drinking the poison.

Other pieces include armlets, anklets, toe rings, ornamental collars, and an elaborate hookah or water pipe.

Nilesh Mistry, pictured, the museum's assistant keeper of international arts, said the collection showed how silver had been moulded by techniques mastered over centuries to produce a widely imaginative range.

"The exhibition has taken more than two years to put together," she said. "The objects were collected over four decades. Some were collected from India pre-partition.

"It's a very diverse range. As well as items from India, the exhibition includes new work commissioned from British jewellery makers, and four British-based South Asian artists have produced work in response to the collection.

"It's the first time the Chandrika collection has been brought to the UK and we are very honoured to have it here in Bradford. It's a new cultural experience for the city."

The exhibition, which runs until April 21, includes an interactive area for children and families housed in a colourful marquee.

During a family afternoon on Sunday, March 17, there will be a children's jewellery workshop, storytelling, dressing up in the Mughal tent and informal tours around the exhibition.

Schools workshops run from Tuesday, March 5, to Friday, March 8, and a special silver workshop will give visitors chance to create a silver bangle.

Contact the Cartwright Hall education team on (01274) 751216 for more details.