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Let us start with this: Flora and Fauna are integral elements of Indian jewelry design. As I present to you an ornate VANKI (those of you who speak the the language of India--please forgive my ignorance in this area though I was once given to understand there are many varied dialect spoken in this country--but those of you who speak the language will immediately know what the item is) you will notice upon careful examination that there are two addorsed peacocks studded with cabochon rubies flanking a diamond flower. The peacock--for those who don't know--is the vehicle of the God Kartikeya.
The purpose of this type of design is to evoke the rich imagery and visions of the bounty of nature. One should be able to smell the sweetness of the blooms and hear the tinkling music of the rivers.
The item chosen ... such as our VANKI should have ascribed to it not only all the beauty and delicacy nature ... the fragrance and strength and power of nature ... but also have inherent in its structure the ability given to the world to deflect danger ... to give courage to those who need it ... to exude power and might ... and to bestow upon the wearer a sense of valor and a shield of protection. This is a great deal for a piece of jewelry to do ... and yet ... to the skilled craftsman ... it is nothing ... for the meticulousness in his concentration as he creates brings forth the very magical qualities needed in order to impart the very essential characteristics mentioned above.
In the case of our VANKI ... our jeweler did a magnificent job and rumor has reached my ears by arcane methodology known only to myself that the present wearer has been bestowed with all the required attributes. Now I ask you ... who woulda thunk it?
Still ... the name of the game here is gorgeousness and gorgeousity and jewelry of the first caliber ... and this VANKI fills the bill. Okay ... now look at it ... and email me ... and tell me what you think it is. Those who come from the continent from which this beautiful piece was created need not participate because you have an unfair advantage. And I don't want any emails telling me it's a VANKI because I already know this.
So ... that said ....
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