There are times when a design catches our eye in such a way that we want to incorporate it or at least parts of it in something else that may or may not be related to the original. The Baromashi Ka...

There are times when a design catches our eye in such a way that we want to incorporate it or at least parts of it in something else that may or may not be related to the original. The Baromashi Kanbala, first introduced on this page on 12th July, 2014, is one such design.

When Mrs.Atashi Dutta came to us to get a tickly made, she made clear as well how much she loved the Baromashi Kanbala and wanted the jewel to look similar to it. What we did instead was attempt a transcreation where the spirit and style remains intact while the ornament is interpreted slightly differently to suit its new purpose.

As such, you'll notice the same arrangement of hand-struck mangoes and ball-karai, the identical shape, and the strung seed pearls ---- now joined by Indian ruby and emerald beads. A lot else has changed : the pearl jhoor's gone and so has the pair of makar-mukhs, and the central Manipuri drop has been replaced by a large, polished half-jhumka which is repeated at the bottom.The ruby clapper ensures a colourful closure and the maangtika has a distinct North Indian feel to it, albeit with a Bengali heart, more because of the ruby-emerald-pearl edging and the mihi-reji line just above it than anything else.

Notice also the larger than usual loop to which is fastened a twisted zari length with a spring lock for it to easily detach. At the other end is a regulation brass hook. This is so that you can wear the tickly as a pendant paired with a thick or thin chain, or even pass a rolled velvet tube of any colour through the loop to make it a rare choker.

Versatility aside, the ornament is pretty sharp. And, if you look at it in its various avatars (a khopa'r pin, perhaps, or a jhapta), also an all-weather jewel very much in the fashion of the kanbala it's taken from.

Crafted by hand in pure 22K gold with ideas of loveliness and perpetuity, this child of Baromashi's is no less an ornament than her acclaimed parent. Named after the sophisticated lady whose wish it was to get made this goyna of illustrious provenance but wholly independent standing, Atashi should in time emerge as one of the marquee jewels from our house.