"Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you."(Matthew 7 : 7-8)
The Bible commands us to never stop knocking, to never lose faith. God will answer.
Elvis tells us that, too, in his cover of Welcome to My World, more lyrically and in a way so euphonious that we can't help but believe that we will be given the key to His heart if we're persistent enough in asking. Of course, it starts with our knocking on His door which is opened to welcome us to His world. There is also a dark side to knocking and this we've encountered never more effectively than in Act II Scene III of 'Macbeth' where, right after a vile murder, Macduff and Lennox's knocking at the gate of the castle is heard. But that can wait.
For now, let's call this the door of infinite hope. It's Indian, traditional, simple, and caringly chased by hand in pure guinea gold. Rajasthani overtones are evident and the sasadana-karai border runs along the outer edges, throughout. The six square panels, the frame and the fan-light all follow heritage without being even remotely filiopietistic, while the infill comprises Ixora blossoms –– the name deriving from the Sanskrit 'Isvara', meaning 'supreme being' –– and a lotus as the rising sun on the apse.
Each of the ixora, or Rugmini, flowers has a gem in the centre. Dark Brazilian emeralds, turquoise and aged corals are seen, but you could as well have the stones of your choice embedded in the piece.
But why, you might ask, is the door Benarasi?
Created with an expert hand and one that imparts the appropriate rusticity and refinement upon the jewel, this pierced naksha pendant is a rare example of a skeuomorph that matches in intricacy, and perhaps is more distinctive than, the Benarasi saree motif it's taken from where the 'darja' is woven individually onto the silk to create a stunning aanchal, each 'door' studded with mina orbs in pale peach and celadon.
Realised in zari on a light turmeric background, the apparel takes no chances and unleashes a plethora of doors on the pallu and along the borders for you to knock on.
In guinea-gold, as a small but monumental naksha goyna, you need but one –– this simply sumptuous Benarasi Darja –– tied to you with carmine thread to ensure heaven is yours on earth.