Mirror Embroidery Quilts from Jaipur and Jodhpur

The diversity of regions in India has led to a varied range of handicrafts which have become popular all over the world for their uniqueness. Mirror work with embroidery is a specialty craft from India.

Rajasthan is an Indian State with craftsmen of exemplary skill and talent. They are experts in working with various patterns, motifs and styles for textiles, with mirror work being one of the most popular of all embroidery crafts. Jaipur and Jodhpur are known for their finely embroidered quilts and garments, and mirrors are commonly used in their designs.

Mirror work seemingly originated in Persia in the thirteenth century and later spread to other places. Small pieces of mirrors are sewn on cloth using stitches like cross stitch, satin stitch and buttonhole stitch. Earlier, mica was used in place of mirrors to enhance the attractiveness of a garment. Now, with the help of modern machinery, mirror sheets are manufactured, which are then cut into different shapes and sizes. In Rajasthan, this craft has been popular since the time of the Rajput kings.

The craftsmen of Jaipur and Jodhpur have developed an enviable expertise in different patterns such as appliqué and tie-and-dye, which they embellish with mirrors, thereby turning ordinary cloth into an exquisite artform! Bikaner, Sikar and Jhunjhunu are other popular centers of this craft. Thus, it is not without reason that Rajasthan is often referred to as a ‘shopper’s delight’, with tourists often overwhelmed at the multitude of choices they get in embroidery styles.

Quilting or the stitching together of scraps of fabric which fit into a larger design is a unique offering of the state of Rajasthan. The making of quilts involves time, patience and skill. The lightweight, feather soft quilt from Jaipur will make you want no other. The warmth of these quilts will keep you cozy on the coldest winter night and the embroidery on the cover will add color to an otherwise gray season! Mirrors in various shapes – round, square and triangular – are used to enhance the pattern or design on these quilts. These mirrors are held onto the cloth with stitches. One quilt can hold up to a thousand mirrors! Such creative use of mirrors leaves a lasting impression and turns a simple quilt into a much coveted and exclusive possession.

Not only popular with the locals, garments with mirror work form a sizeable part of the exports made to European countries. It can truly be said that for the men and women of Rajasthan that their needle is a brush with which they create memorable art on cloth. Craftsmen and artists from different areas like Bikaner, Sikar and Jaisalmer contend for the top position in exquisite needle work and embroidery.
So gift yourself or your loved ones one of these traditional, exclusive items, handcrafted with meticulous care and skill!

View an example of Mirror Ebroidered Indian Bed Cover here.

Indian Brass Work for Statues

Metal perhaps is the most resilient medium an artist can choose. It gives the creation unparalleled longevity. In a country like India where idol worship seamlessly calms and conquers, metal idols have adorned temples and homes since time immemorial. Deities and tools of worship have found exquisite expression in metal work. Over two thousand years ago, zinc and copper were amalgamated and brass was first produced in India. There has been no looking back. The colossal cosmic pantheon of Hindu gods has eagerly whetted the creative skills of adroit Indian artisans.

Thousand-year-old antiques from the Chola dynasty of southern India still mesmerize and defy time. The dancing Natraja and the munificent Elephant God, Ganesh are all time favorites. Skilled artisans dexterously capture movement and expression even in a stoic medium like brass. Regal brass work from the erstwhile princely state of Jaipur, with its royal salvers, vases, urns and intricately engraved brass mirror frames, has evolved into design statements. Commonplace utility objects like bowls, door knockers, nut crackers, foot scrapers and kohl containers made of brass by the hilly tribes of Ladakh transcend form and function and become creations of beauty. The beatific Buddha comes across as serenity captured in brass. Artisans are adept in the highly refined process of engraving – vibrant lacquer colors of red, yellow, black and blue are filled in the designs. The iridescence and glitter of brass, its uniquely oriental aura and mystique, all make it universally enticing.

Chinese Brocade Silk

Chinese silk developed and prospered under the feudalist society in China. The pattern, embroidery, weaving and dyeing skills flourished during this time. It is the strength, texture richness of color that gives Chinese silk a fine, immaculate and aristocrat look and feel.

Legend holds that in ancient times, the wife of emperor Huang Di, Lei Zu taught people how to raise silkworms and how to extract the silk. Professional designers created novel patterns patronized by subsequent dynasties. The production of silk peaked during Han Dynasty and silk clothes were being exported to Rome. While during Yuan dynasty silk trade with South – East Asia developed at the time of Ming and Qing Dynasties, silk was transported to Europe and America. The overland trade route became famous as Silk Route

Major Chinese Brocade silk products are:

• Shu Brocade- Made in Sichuan, the variety of flowery design with predominantly red color reflects the flowery nature of the Shu community.
• Yun Brocade- Wide use of gold and silver threads, high quality material and refined weaving has made it a precious artwork and fabric for celebrated occasions. Yun brocade was a royal tribute during Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Song brocade – Primarily used for paperhanging of precious calligraphy copies; there are twenty different types of Song brocade.
• Zhuang brocade – Created by ethnic group in Guangxi, it has a variety of patterns like wave, flowers, grass and cloud with rich color. It is durable enough to be used in bedding, clothes and bags.

The other varieties of brocades include Li, Tujia, Yao and Hang.

A silkworm can produce 1000 meters of silk in its lifespan of 28 days. This makes silk a rare raw material. The quality, mystery and variety of Chinese brocade silk have made it an object of desire in the world.

Click here for Chinese Silk Throw Pillows

Soapstone Handicrafts from Kenya: The History of a Local Art Form

Soapstone Handicrafts from Kenya are very popular for some time now. Most originate in the Kisii District of Kenya to the west of Lake Victoria. The history of soap stone handicrafts in Kenya goes back to the ancient times when the first Kenyan carved a bowl or cup from this easy to work stone. Since then the art has been passed down from generation to generation and gotten more complex as the years have passed. Many villages have their particular techniques and tricks that make their carved stone unique from the other areas. By learning which techniques are employed by which villages an expert can tell where a particular piece was made.

The differences in pieces from various villages along with the generations of carvers have created many price variations in the work. With the proper guidance, you can accumulate quite a collection of these beautiful artifacts. Some buyers specialize in the more commonplace items like unadorned bowls and plates while others concentrate on the exotic and carvings like Soapstone bookends and decorative abstract home décor pieces.

Though soapstone handicrafts have been created in most societies at one time or another, the Kenyan versions have become the standard all others are measured against. One of the determining factors in the quality of the carvings is the color and quality of the Soapstone. In the Kisii district of Kenya, there are at this moment, hundreds of people practicing the art of Soapstone carving. By exporting these works many locals have been able to raise the level of their income above the poverty level.

By keeping the tradition of their ancestors alive and well, these Kenyans honor their past and help to better their future.

Wood Carving From Saharanpur, India

Today, woodwork from Saharanpur in India is famous the world over. The debt for this fame needs to be acknowledged to the 4000-odd years of heritage and history. Houses in ancient India bore alluringly carved door frames as a mark of respect and welcome to the guest. So rich and skilled was this wood work, that most guests – the Mughals and the British – were besotted by the craftsmanship and patronized the craft.

The ornate motifs on these doorways assimilated the varied cultural confluences and got translated into a range of artifacts like carved furniture, carved screen, napkin rings, jewelry boxes, candle stands, wall brackets, magazine holders, wall panels, mirror frames, coasters, photo frames, CD boxes, etc.

Traditionally, Shisham (Indian rosewood tree) was the preferred wood but today, just as designs have evolved to cater to an international palate, so has the choice of wood. Teak and rosewood lend themselves to sculpture while ebony is suitable for low-end relief work. Traditional techniques and designs of trellis patterns, lattice work and grape vine creepers, animals and Hindu mythological characters are classic designs but experimentation with geometrical patterns of inlay work has also found international appeal.

Bequeathed by the Mughals, wood inlay is done with bits of ivory, plastic, horn, brass or pieces of colored wood. Wood was perhaps the first medium for man’s creativity and each artifact from Saharanpur echoes a rich and resplendent past as it adds warmth and charm to any setting.

Some Products include:

Octagonal Table

Decorative Storage Boxes

Tissue Box

Set of Stacking Stools

Syrian Mosaic Wood

The craft of mosaic wood from Damascus, Syria, dates back several hundred years. If you’re looking for that single, defining piece of furniture or a sturdy objet d’art that’s strikingly attractive, Syrian mosaic wood might be the answer.

Although other Islamic nations, notably Egypt, produce similar handicrafts, Syrian mosaic is considered the best in the world for its high standards of quality, precision and beauty. As in the days of yore, the craft is practiced in small family-owned workshops. Naturally, this allows scope for a high degree of individualism in design.

Mosaic wood making is not for the restless! It’s a slow, exacting craft, requiring tremendous patience and accuracy. A variety of woods – peach, apricot, walnut, olive, rose – are selected and cut into geometric shapes in 12”–14” long sticks. Next, the artisan patterns the sticks and glues them with traditional Arabic glue (the making of the glue is another lengthy process, requiring several hours of boiling). Thin layers, measuring approximately 1/8” are sliced and inlaid on the base wood. Next, tiny, perfectly cut mother-of-pearl pieces are inlaid on matching, carved spaces in the wood. Glue is applied over the unfinished surface of the mosaic. The object is then finished by grinding for polish and is then sprayed with a coat of lacquer.

The geometric patterns, often featuring the Islamic star, are an intrinsic aspect of Arabic art. Muted shades of orange, ochre, brown and black combine with the luster of mother-of-pearl to make for exquisite artistry.

Syrian mosaic wood products cover a whole range, from charming pencil boxes, penholders and CD boxes to furniture and fabulous chess or backgammon boards.

Moroccan ceramics with metal and bone

In the fabulous melting pot of cultures that is Morocco, history and geography come together to produce a range of earthenware that is arresting in its beauty.

From the 8th-9th century, the 4,000-year-old indigenous Berber population knew the art of making glazed and enameled earthenware. Pottery was made entirely by women, for home use. In the 15th century, the Moors began arriving from Spain, bringing with them, advanced techniques. They settled in the cities of Fez, Safi and Marrakech, where they rebuilt their kilns. For the next 400 years, these centers produced some of the Islamic world’s finest pottery.

In the early 20th century, industrialization and the craze for mass-produced products nearly spelt the end of Moroccan pottery. It was revived under the French Protectorate, when Moroccan potters were sent to France to learn improved techniques. Ever since, guilds have been established in various centers where master craftsmen train apprentices in their craft.

While the distinctive Fakhari or Bleu de Fez pottery, with abstract, repetitive, geometric designs or Arabic calligraphy is virtually synonymous with Moroccan pottery, Safi and Marrakech also have made unique contributions to this art.

Safi has the oldest kilns in Morocco and is known for its use of camel bone in pottery design. Potters mix local red clay by walking on it. Pots are molded on foot-operated potters’ wheels and baked in the kilns, which as of old, continue to be fired with dried hardwood. After being painted with bright colors, plain or henna-stained camel bone designs are adhered to the earthenware, especially plates and vases.

Marrakech is famed for the skills of its metal workers. Soft metal is soldered on to ceramic ware, giving a filigreed effect; the metal outlines the finely painted abstract shapes and foliage of Islamic art or the stylized birds and animals of Berber origin.

Interestingly, basic techniques have changed little over the years. Painted brushes are made of bamboo and horsehair. A unique feature of Moroccan ceramics lies in the firing technique used, where one cannot predict the behavior of the glaze. Two pots coated with the same glaze therefore, can turn out in different shades.

Pottery here is intrinsically connected with local beliefs. A couscous steamer placed on a pole and pushed off to break into pieces, foretells the immediate future – a few large pieces signify a prosperous year, while several, small fragments are ominous signs of a hard winter and tough times!

Hand-painted wooden furniture from Rajasthan

Want to spice up your living room? A single item of hand-painted furniture from Rajasthan, India, could be just the thing you’re looking for, adding rich color and interest to your home.

Like other myriad crafts from this Indian desert state, hand-painted wooden furniture has a long tradition. The cities of Kishangarh and Jodhpur, in particular, are famed for their distinctive styles of furniture.

Acacia arabica, mango and rose are the woods favored by artisans. An item of furniture is first made and then finished. Painting is done over the finished piece, which is finally given a coat of varnish. A host of products are available: small, low chairs (with detachable seats) that are surprisingly comfortable, stools, trunks, wine racks, cupboards, doors, paneled screens, cabinets and decorative, carved ‘windows’. A wide range of bright colors are used to decorate these products.

Paintings from the Kishangarh School of Art present human figures with highly stylized features – elongated necks, wide, almond-shaped eyes, slender fingers and muted colors. This style – like the pretty, symmetrical floral motifs – bears the stamp of the Mughal influence on the artforms of Rajasthan. Such motifs, which were traditionally painted on silk as miniatures, find their way on to furniture as well. Kishangarh furniture also features embossed and painted designs.

Wooden furniture from Jodhpur has a quaint, antique charm, with typically ethnic color combinations. A cabinet, for instance, might feature red and green floral motifs with a border of cobalt blue and ochre. Decorative wooden wall pieces often feature richly carved borders that frame paintings of Hindu gods or Rajput kings and queens.

Rajasthan’s painted furniture evokes the rich traditions of its glorious past and makes for unmatched conversation pieces.

Carole Nevin – South Africa

Carole Nevin started painting textiles from her garage in 1993. It all started with a desire to earn a good living doing something creative and contributing to poverty alleviation in South Africa. The business grew into a family business and this is the solid foundation on which it rests. They now employ 40 people. The people that work for them are vital to the success of the business. Everything is hand painted/printed and handmade, therefore very labour intensive.

They are very proud to have the opportunity to train and employ many previously disadvantaged individuals both locals as well as from other African countries, many of whom come from a local squatter camp. They have a policy of job creation and training especially for unskilled or semi-skilled workers and in their way they contribute to redressing the ills of the past regime and poverty in Africa.

For Carole Nevin, the most exciting part of the business lies in design and product development. They produce everything themselves and are proud to be 100% Proudly South African.

Check out some of her products:
Table Runner
Placemats
Napkins
Throw Pillows

The ancient art of Peruvian reverse glass painting

What better proof that art knows no boundaries, than the history of Peruvian reverse glass painting?

Centuries ago, this technique originated in China with oil-based paints. How this art traveled to Europe is not clear, but by the end of the Renaissance, Italian artists had adapted reverse glass painting with watercolors. The art form proved to be extremely popular all over Europe.

In the 16th century, Spanish colonizers carried reverse glass paintings with them to Peru, where local artisans were quick to learn the technique. For several centuries, Peruvian artists faithfully copied the elaborate, rococo floral motifs favored by the Spanish.

The basic technique of reverse glass painting has changed little over the centuries. Designs are painted in reverse on glass. The painted side is covered with gold-colored lead paper that gives it a distinctive, shimmering background. The glass is then fixed on to a special, handmade wooden base or frame.

In time, Peruvian artists moved away from the original Spanish designs and made it their own, going back for inspiration to their, pre colonial cultural roots. They began to use Inca motifs, preserved in museum collections of pottery and textiles. They are now a sought after feature of this art form, with their geometric designs and earthy colors. The Nazca group of designs is derived from the mysterious 2,000-year-old designs that appear in the Peruvian desert. Also popular are the Nature series, reflecting a growing concern for the environment.

The technique of reverse glass painting has been ingeniously adapted by Peru’s modern artisans to produce a host of items for both decorative and utilitarian purposes – wall décor, mirrors, lamps, vases, tables, pedestals, mirrors and trays.

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