The Lichu-Kata bala is common, but it's also a firm favourite of those who love jewellery of the wear-it-and-forget-it kind, as a result of which there are many variations, some of which we've show...

The Lichu-Kata bala is common, but it's also a firm favourite of those who love jewellery of the wear-it-and-forget-it kind, as a result of which there are many variations, some of which we've shown you earlier on this page: the full-chhela Lichu-kata bala with an ornate tub face in August, 2015 and a half aaina-polish half Lichu-kata model together with a brave all-over Lichu-kata bangle in September, 2017. Two years from that, today, the style we show you is also an all-over Lichu-kata, chhela tupi-ball mukh bala that has a distinctive change in form ---- it's tapered. It narrows towards the ball mukh equally on both sides and is widest at the bottom. This gives it the feel of one of those Rajasthani tribal Kada anklets but in no way compromises on its utterly Bengali naksha and chisel work.

The chasing is immaculate, the spiny skin of the litchis realized in perfectly pyramidal naksha. The chiselled ball mukh, too, is grand and the little half-topa 'caps' on them a lovely variation to the plain spheres. Note how the polished band on the neck of the mukh reinforces the jointing where the pipe meets the twin-ball face and transitions naksha to chisel-work brilliantly but quietly. It's a bala simple of design and acute in details, through none of the latter's seen ---- which is what the art of great design always entails.

Wear it in all its handwrought guinea-gold glory as an Atpourey Bala --- an everyday ornament for the hands --- or keep it for special occasions at home. There's something very pleasingly domestic, or ghoroa, about it : as if it were meant to be a part of you, particularly when you're home.