A slice of the rich, variegated landscape of Bengal in early winter finds its place in an interpretative way in this charming handcrafted guinea-gold bala where the half-naksha half-plain idiom is ...

A slice of the rich, variegated landscape of Bengal in early winter finds its place in an interpretative way in this charming handcrafted guinea-gold bala where the half-naksha half-plain idiom is repeated in the mukh but with cloisonne enamelling. 
The dhaaner-sheesh naksha, symbolic of golden paddy fields with ripe stalks ready to be picked, is bracketed by plain sections showing the parts where the crop has already been harvested. 
Why that dash of red then, one may ask. It's a flight of fancy, really, referring the higanbana flowers planted around rice fields in Japan, but does add colour and a touch of danger to the ornament, the red spider-lily being potently poisonous. Also, the line of little gold orbs running along the spine both protects the bala and embellishes it with quiet grace.
An ornament to wear if the rustic romance of Bengal answers to you through all seasons and circumstances.