Paul the psychic octopus is not just a soccer lovers’ darling, but it’s now also the muse of a jewellery designer. A Kolkata-based jewellery group Sree Ganesh has crafted a 22k octopus, which weighs 3.3 kg and was exhibited at the ongoing Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
Nilesh Parekh, chairman, Sree Ganesh explains the reason behind choosing the octopus design.
“Firstly, we want to emphasise that Indian craftsmen are no less and that we can create anything. Paul, the octopus was in the news for his prophecies for Fifa matches and we are from Bengal where people are crazy about football. There is a message for our cricket-loving nation, that we must promote football as well. Also, Europeans and Indians have a connection in the form of a sixth sense, which Paul possesses and so do we. So, that’s another unifying factor. To possess a octopus means you’re a winner,” he says.
Nilesh affirms that the octopus showpiece has got many excited, but it’s not for sale. “We haven’t put a price to it yet. And most importantly, we are not keen to sell it. We have created it with a lot of care and it has taken a month-and-a-half. Making it was a challenge as his tentacles can be moved around, so you can imagine, how much hard work has gone into it. We may sell it to a European buyer, who understands what we want to convey. Our other creation, the golden Eiffel Tower that weighs 10 kg has been sold for Rs 5 crore to a Saudi Arabia-based sheikh.”
Paul has also inspired the group to create a collection centered on octopus. Nilesh confirms this and adds, “We are working on the ocean range that includes earrings, and rings made of diamonds, crafted and hand crafted pieces.”