elegant dress

Drawing inspiration from traditional Indian motifs and the ancient chakra doctrine, artisan Bhavya Jain creates an exquisite set of seven stud earrings. All the accessories are made from sterling silver and come with a unique design classic of the region, polished for an elegant touch. On top of that, the items are arranged in a felt patch with chakra-themed embroidered details.

Two sterling silver bands, inscribed with the words "namaste" and "breathe," cradle three narrower sterling silver rings in this original design by India's Shivani Choudhary. One of the narrow bands features a raised brass lotus, the second features a raised brass "om" symbol, and the third complements the other two with its simplicity. The words and symbols are oxidized to further highlight the motifs.

Seated on a tiger, Shiva lifts a hand in blessing. Regarded as the celestial overlord of deliverance through destruction, Shiva has his customary trident by his side as a show of divinity. The hissing cobra that slithers around his head symbolizes his potent divine destructivity, and his matted hair is thought to contain the flow of the Ganges River. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is both the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger. Unaffected by the whims of the world, he is innocent and guileless, pure of mind and heart. He does not adorn his body with jewels or flowers — he mats his hair and dresses in animal hide.

Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa is a master of the batik technique, sketching the figures by hand and applying the wax resist freehand, which requires great skill. A different dye bath is required for each separate color in his elegant and complex batik "painting."

Often associated with Lakshmi, Sri is a Hindu goddess of divine beauty who is believed to bring wealth and good fortune. Balinese artisan Wayan Nuliati pays homage to Sri with this sculpture, which is lovingly hand-carved of suar wood to capture every minute detail. Sri is captured in a kneeling pose as she performs an elegant dance.

Featuring a single stone of peridot that sparkles with green hues, this cocktail ring depicts the face of Saraswati. Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and art, Saraswati is depicted here by Indonesia's Komang Suastra, who carves her face by hand from bone, surrounding it with sterling silver dot and swirl motifs for an elegant and serene look.