When Ms.Sohini Halder came to us with an heirloom khnopar bagan (hair-bun surround), given her by her mother-in-law, to convert it into a hansuli and get made a pair of pashas to go with it, the co...

When Ms.Sohini Halder came to us with an heirloom khnopar bagan (hair-bun surround), given her by her mother-in-law, to convert it into a hansuli and get made a pair of pashas to go with it, the commission was accepted, though tricky, as the hair-ornament had guide rings along the sides, ostensibly for a line of pearls to go through, as was the usual fashion in Bengali wedding crowns of the fifties and sixties. The motifs had to be replicated as perfectly as possible in hand-chased and pierced karigari and the Bangla polish of the converted neckpiece needed to match the new finish of the pashas. We hit the drawing-board with a phul-lata-pata conceptualization of the naksha, the foliage including smaller flowers and a bud ; the leaves, abundant and well-formed, interspersed with unfurled fronds, are evident along the sensuously curved stems that almost double-back on to the main blossom ---- a golden gardenia. This curvy form of naksha and the large seven-petalled flower are what distinguish the ornament from other naksha patterns in by now a rather familiar style, though the four ball-karais interrupting the sedate aam-kalka border might actually prove more unique, a feature included to merely reflect the necklace but assuming charge in all its diminutiveness to raise the pashas to an unmistakable classic. The smallest of details make all the difference. Remember, in bespoke, the process is open to both of us to interpret and regulate so that the specifications are met and the jewel becomes a constant source of delight ---- ageless and ever beautiful. As such, the time taken is far,far more than that which is civilly acceptable, and our proclivity towards being maniacally critical of our own work, and because we only engage a small and captive team of master-craftsmen for all our manufacture, occasionally results in order schedules being overshot (we ask your forgiveness for that for we know it's unprofessional) and your not getting delivery on time. But, be certain, when you do get it, it'll be a unique jewel : a combination of stunning pulchritude, extraordinary virtue, noble character, elegant carriage, and a pure soul. In other words, it'll be you. Named after its owner, the young and vivacious Sohini, this pair of guinea-gold naksha kan-pashas is evidence not just of conscientious jewellery-making but of the fact that you, through your best jewels, shall live on forever.