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The combination of Bhojpatra (bark of the Himalayan Birch tree) & gold. A contemporary interpretation of an ancient Indian tradition of protection & prosperity.
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Traditionally, a mantra / shloka is hand-written into a piece of Bhojpatra. The Bhojpatra is then rolled up & put inside a gold amulet, which is then worn on the body.
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Your very own understated, elegant, work of art, which is also a talisman, in the form of a functional, easy-to-wear brooch that will not damage your garments (because of the sliding magnet clasp).
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The Himalayan Birch Tree

The Himalayan Birch tree is native to the Western Himalayas & was first documented in the year 1825. The trees can be found growing only above and around the altitude of 14,000 feet. I have spotted them on mountainsides, perched precariously, drawing water from snow melt, during my travels to Kashmir and Spiti.
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Ancient India

For centuries, in India, prior to the advent of paper, important messages & sacred texts were written on bhojpatra. Mostly in Sanskrit. Now, bhojpatra is primarily used in the field of Astrology. It is said that writing a mantra on a bhojpatra, makes the mantra more potent. It is also used in horoscope writing. Some people write a mantra or shloka on a piece of the bhojpatra, the bark is then rolled up & fit into a small gold amulet, which is then worn by the person. This is said to provide protection from evil.

The Bark & Lenticels

The thin, papery bark is very shiny, reddish brown, reddish white, or white, with horizontal lenticels. Its use as paper for books is mentioned by early Sanskrit writers like Kalidasa (c. 4th century CE) & Sushruta (c. 3rd century CE). In the late 19th century, Kashmiri pandits reported all of their books were written on Himalayan Birch bark (aka Bhojpatra / भोजपत्र ) until Akbar introduced paper in the 16th century. The Sanskrit word for the tree is bhûrja / भुर्जा —sharing a similarity with other Indo-European words that provide the origin for the common name birch.
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The Color of Gold

The colour of Gold signifies wealth & prosperity and not just in India. A sacred offering to deities. A symbol of good health & well-being. Nothing warmer than the glow from a piece of gold! Bling without the ostentation. An understated power. No matter one’s economic status, the family’s wealth is protected in gold artefacts passed down through generations. The amulet that holds the mantra / shloka written on Bhojpatra, was traditionally made of gold. Double the protection.

Handmade

Each brooch is handmade by the artist. Each brooch has a unique number assigned to it, which is also written at the back. Signed and dated at the back as well. Once a particular number is sold, it is gone forever. Each brooch is unique because of the nature of the bhojpatra as well as the hand-application of the gold-colored foil.
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Sizes

The brooches are in two sizes, 2 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches in diameter. As with all my brooches, the clasp at the back is magnetic so as not to ruin your garments. The best way to unclasp the magnet is by sliding it instead of pulling it.

Serial Numbers

The Bhojpatra Series will be an ongoing series of brooches. If you want a particular numbered brooch, please email me on [email protected] I will be crafting an additional set of brooches every month or so. With increasing serial numbers. For example, after the above 001 to 010, there will be 011 to 020 and so on.
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Sold

Each brooch is one-of-a-kind. If you see a brooch above with “Read More” under it instead of “Add To Cart”, that means that that piece is sold. I Shipping worldwide!