Jewelry + Trinket Music Boxes + Elephants

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. Colorful elephants guard a florid mandala in a hand-crafted jewelry box from India. Designed by Khalid Ali, the mango wood box is covered in nickel-plated brass that is expertly embossed with blossoming garlands. The mandala is executed with the legendary zari brocade. Inside, the box features a practical mirror and velvet lining. Artisan Info: "Hello, My name is Khalid Ali. As a child I was very naughty and would always do things my way. Even in school I was known as the mischievous boy and at home as 'Dennis the Menace.' "But as I grew up, I understood the value of hard work. My father was a very hard working person and he is the one who taught me the dignity of labor. It is because of him that I am here today. My father started a small workshop in 1959 where he crafted artistic furniture using brass foil embossing. He has been doing that for ages until I took over about a decade ago. Our designs are basically inspired from the ancient Mughal style. But today we incorporate modern motifs into the ancient technique and style. "Though I've been in this field a long time, my ardent desire is to continue to grow. Right now I have about ten artisans assisting me, most of whom are relatives I have trained. "I really appreciate Novica's way of promoting art. With this kind of exposure,

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. Flowers surround two elephants who trumpet a greeting on a sumptuous coffer. Hand-crafted of mango wood, this jewelry box by Khalid Ali is covered in embossed brass bathed in nickel. He creates six velvet-lined compartments and adds a mirror in the lid. Artisan Info: "Hello, My name is Khalid Ali. As a child I was very naughty and would always do things my way. Even in school I was known as the mischievous boy and at home as 'Dennis the Menace.' "But as I grew up, I understood the value of hard work. My father was a very hard working person and he is the one who taught me the dignity of labor. It is because of him that I am here today. My father started a small workshop in 1959 where he crafted artistic furniture using brass foil embossing. He has been doing that for ages until I took over about a decade ago. Our designs are basically inspired from the ancient Mughal style. But today we incorporate modern motifs into the ancient technique and style. "Though I've been in this field a long time, my ardent desire is to continue to grow. Right now I have about ten artisans assisting me, most of whom are relatives I have trained. "I really appreciate Novica's way of promoting art. With this kind of exposure, artisans like me receive encouragement that otherwise would have been limited

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. An elegant elephant trods along white marble plains dressed in exquisite gemstone regalia. From India's Raj Kumari, the hand-crafted jewelry box features precise inlay work with jasper, malachite, reconstituted turquoise and variscite. Artisan Info: "Hi friends, I am Raj Kumari, which means "A Queen!" I come from Uttra Pradesh. We are three siblings, all girls, and we had great fun growing up together. Expect for few friends in school, we did not have any friends at home because our father was a very conservative and strict man, but he was never short of love for us. Not having a son did not dishearten my father, as it would other traditional Hindu families. In the olden days in small towns and villages, a family was looked down if they were without a son. "My father had a grocery store and I remember spending much time with him. After completing my 12th standard, I was married off to my husband, Raja Ram Singh. It was an arranged marriage because in those days, that was the only way to marry, and we couldn't go against our parents' wishes. But my parents chose the right life partner for me. I love my husband and I hope we live happily like this for the rest of our lives. "Since my husband is from Agra, I had to move there. This was the first time I was venturing out of our