As the world becomes more and more interactive, cross-cultural influences affect food, clothing, language, design and the decorative arts in significant ways. Precious jewellery in India, always at...

As the world becomes more and more interactive, cross-cultural influences affect food, clothing, language, design and the decorative arts in significant ways. Precious jewellery in India, always at the crossroads of history as far as rulers and the ruled are concerned, has been characterized by such foreign presence and the tastes and aesthetic sensibilities of these settlers.
This svelte necklace is no different. The jhoomar, essentially a Mughal head ornament, becomes an all-gold jhapta with clean lines and inverted, intricately filigreed, Moorish multifoil arches that are held in place by delicate bichha-tipki chains. The ball-jhur fringe has a touch of pearls as does the flower atop the uppermost arch, and in the kamal-pati chains this becomes full-fledged strung-pearl borders.

Supreme in its simplicity and elegance, wholly Bengali in its workmanship, Mughal in its design thought, and brazenly modern in its flexibility ---the side-chains are detachable and can be worn as chokers or armbands while the centrepiece makes a pleasingly attractive pendant, a very different jhapta, a gorgeous brooch or an eyecatching khnopa-jewel --- the necklace does justice to a mirrored grand-hall setting but doesn't demand of you the lute or the troubadour hat-like turban or fussy multilayered clothing that Mastani wore as she entered the soberly sumptuous Aaina Mahal to capture Bajirao's heart.

In fact, with this remakable jewel, however you wear it and with whatever suitable apparel, be sure that every venue will become your very own Aaina Mahal where the hearts of all those who worship true beauty will be set afire the moment you enter.

With matched jhapta-bahar earrings, all handcrafted in rich yellow 22K gold.