Repousse Mango Wood Jewelry Box, "Palatial"

"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 hardworking 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 around 2006. 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 to only our own locality."