Ring with the seed syllable "Dhih," fire-gilded · CHARU × Khyenle

Compact signet ring: Set against a reddish-shimmering bronze background is the root syllable “Dhih” in fire-gilded gold, framed by a smooth silver border. The contrast between the warm copper tone, matte silver, and deep golden yellow makes the small 1.5 cm surface the focal point of the piece. “Dhih” is the seed syllable of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, who represents wisdom and scholarship in Tibetan Buddhism—the syllable is also used during recitation to practice retroflex sounds. The ring band is open-worked and can be adjusted for size.

The ring is cast in Khyenle bronze, an alloy of brass and copper with small amounts of gold, silver, tin, zinc, and lead. The tradition dates back to the 19th century and the workshops associated with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo in Dzongsar, in the Dege County of Kham; the name links the Khyentse lineage with the craft of bronze casting. Each piece undergoes six stages of production—wax model, mold, smelting, casting, hand finishing, and polishing—with the hand finishing taking up the majority of the time.

The ring comes in an elegant wooden gift box.

CHARU connects designers with artisan cooperatives in the Tibetan cultural region and uses these connections to develop products that bring traditional techniques into everyday life.

Ring head Ø 1.5 cm · 10 g · open, adjustable band · Li-Ma bronze, silver, fire-gilded · Handcrafted in Tibet