History and Significance of Sankofa Bird

The Akan people were led by King Adinkera in the 19th century. He went to war with King Asantehene who led the Ashanti people. This historic conflict took place in west Africa, what is now called Ghana. King Asantehene was victorious and took the cloth King Adinkera wore as a trophy. The cloth was special because it had symbols stamped into it. The cloth was not merely a garment but also medium for communication. These symbols are today called Adinkra, in reference to the defeated king.

The Sanfoka bird is one of the most recognized of the Adinkra symbols today. In the Akan language, Sanfoka means “it is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” The Sanfoka bird is depicted as a bird in flight looking backward over its shoulder. In its beak is an egg. The egg represents the future. A future unborn and unknown. The bird is in flight, representing the fact that history is constantly moving forward. The bird is looking into history, taking the lessons there to help form and create the future.

The Sanfoka bird appears in many African-American study courses. This powerful symbol is used to demonstrate the importance of learning and understanding the history of a people. Not just the history of Ghana. Where we come from is as important as who we are. If we don’t understand our own history, how can we truly understand ourselves? This is message the Sanfoka bird has for each of us today.

Hsun-ok – Holding Its Offerings to Buddha

The Hsun-Ok is a vessel that contains the religious offers to Buddha and to the Sangha the monks who live in his temples. These containers or bowls are designed to be placed on each side of the temples statue or image of Buddha. The faithful followers of Buddha offer gifts to him by placing items such as fruit, food, flowers, and incense into the vessel.

The majority of Hsun-Ok vessels are created by the loving hands of artists using a method of pottery called Lacquerware. This ancient technique allows for the decorative elements of the Hsun-Ok to have a three dimensional feel.

These delicately designed containers are sometimes gilded and created with distinctive patina made by allowing the black lacquer to show through the worn areas of the top red lacquer. Certain artists have been known to use gold leaf and glass inlay to enhance their designs, but the majority of pieces are simply designed in keeping with their religious significance.

The Lacquer ware technique of creating religious vessels has been happening for centuries. To create Lacquerware, artists first start by creating the vessel’s framework which is often made of coiled or woven bamboo. Once this framework is made, layers lacquer and ash are applied over the framework and smoothed to create its distinctive finish and patina.

Artists have also been know to carve or sculpting intricate designs on its surface thereby creating three dimensional designs or reliefs. The best Lacquerware in the world is created by Burmese artists, but the unique beauty and artistry in the creation of this pottery is what makes the Hsun-Ok a beautiful religious artifact.

History of Bulgarian Pottery

Approximately 3000 years ago, the people who were called the Thracians were the first to establish civilization in what we now know as the country of Bulgaria. This region was part of the Roman Empire from 40 AD until 395 AD. This area was also settled by the Slavs and Russians during the 500’s AD. In the 600’s a nomadic tribe called the Bulgars from central Asia migrated to the area and eventually melded with the Slavic peoples.

The Thracian influence on pottery is well known, and there have been archeological sites that have discovered pottery and potters wheels in the Early Iron Age. The Thracian pottery was heavily influenced by the Greek culture. As the Slavs and Bulgars settled the area the Thracian pottery began to evolve. Painted Preslav ceramics come to be found by the early tenth century. Prechina ceramics was brought to Bulgaria by the Middle Eastern artisans. The history of Bulgarian Pottery is extensive, dating back to between 375 and 340 BC. Located near the town of Nova Zagora is a mound called Karanovska where unique pottery dating to the Paleolithic age was found. Due to this pottery style, the region near Nova Zagora is called “the Noah’s Ark of the European Civilization”.

Origins

The Sarmations (Ancient Iranian) came to the region known today as Bulgaria around the 5th century BC. The Sarmations merged with the Cbernjahov culture to become the Gothic Culture. Grave goods of the Sarmations consisted of beyond other items a pottery with a dark grey surface and decorated with polished stripes.

Then came the Penkovka Culture, dating from the 6th to 7th century. A.D. The Penkovka lived on the Steppes and the people were sedentary, engaging in mostly agriculture and the breeding of animals such as cattle. As sedentary peoples they became specialized in many different occupations, such as pottery. The various styles made were the bi conical pot, the handmade pots with rounded shoulders. The color of the clay used still remained grey, and was made on a potter’s wheel and still had the decoration of stripes which were either polished or incised into the clay. Today this pottery style is called Pastiriki after the site they were first found in.

Turkish Glass

Glass is a vital part of the modern environment. We see it and use it in some way everyday, and its use is widespread from the simple drinking glass to the development of sophisticated technical equipment. Indeed, the use of glass encompasses so many aspects of our lives that we hardly notice its presence. But glass was not always present in everyday life. The discovery of glass is widely thought to be an accident. According to the Greek historian Pliny, a group of merchants lit a fire in a riverbed and found pieces of the shimmering, translucent material the next morning, after the fires had been put out. In its earliest stages in Egypt and Mesopotamia, glass was used as a form of art more than anything else, and was not used for the practical purposes that we use it for today.

Handmade Turkish glass has long been acknowledged as some of the most beautiful craftsmanship in the history of glass making. The history of Turkish glassware began around the eleventh century and Istanbul was established as the center of the Ottoman Turkish glass industry soon after the conquest. During the era of Ottoman rule, Turkish glassware was slowly developed and its art was made more precise than in previous centuries. By the seventeenth or eighteenth century, Turkish glassware was making great strides.

Since the uprise of the Turkish glass industry, Turkish glass has become increasingly more popular for its delicate and fragile appearance. As far as glass making goes, it is some of the most delicate glass in existence, due both to its thinness and its intricate detail. Turkish-Islamic glass art places perfection in the balance of lines and color in precise geometric patterns. Today, Turkish glass is considered a rare and beautiful work of art, prized by the cultural art connoisseur. While the production of stained glass window tiles and mirrors have always been widespread among Turkish glass makers, the carving of rock crystals into jugs, flasks, bottles, and other unique and sturdy serving dishes has been of the greatest use to the world as a whole. With the popularity of Turkish glass rising, the industry now encompasses approximately ninety percent of the world’s glass production. Turkish glass makers’ attention to detail, high level of production, outstanding design, and excellent quality have placed the Turkish glass industry among the wealthiest and most desirable pieces of glassware in the world.

Bokolanfini, a Malian Art in Cloth

A centuries-old craft, Malian mudcloth, or bokolanfini, is an important part of the culture and economy of the Bamana of Mali. Although the origins of this technique are lost in time, international attention has kept the skill alive and caused a revolution in the making of these intricately patterned cloths.

Bokolanfini are traditionally made using indigenous materials. Cotton is gathered and processed into cloths called finimougou, which are then dyed yellow using leaves from the N’Galaman and N’Tjankara trees. After drying, mud collected from ponds and fermented for a year is applied to the cloth to form the background of patterns. The dye interacts chemically with the mud, turning it black and making it set. After up to three coats of mud have been applied, the yellow dye is rinsed out, leaving stark white on black patterns.

Traditional bokolanfini designs often represent a local hero, legend, or historical event. Colors, although rarely employed, also have some symbolism. Rust or gray denote a hunter or warrior and provide camouflage for the wearer, while white is often worn by women during ceremonies.

International interest in bokolanfini is increasing today due to the nationalist trends that accompanied many African countries’ independence, as well as the attention they gained when Malian designers incorporated bogolan items into fashion lines. Most exported bokolanfini today are factory made using stencils and non-traditional materials, but the original art is still alive in Bamana villages and will hopefully remain so for years to come.

Green Durian Table Lamp – Literally!

Nito vine is a fast growing fern that grows around trees and other large objects.
Left unchecked, nito can suffocate a tree by blocking light and other resources,
killing the tree. Instead of throwing away or burning this material, it is used creatively for durian lamp. We mimic the pattern that nito grows around trees by weaving it through a tight metal grid. This grid will also ensure the longevity of the material and the lamp itself.

Visit Cultural Elements for this Eco-friendly Lamp

All About Beautiful Handmade Ghana Furniture and Wood Crafts

Ghana, also known as the Gold Coast is well known for its rich supply of durable timber of top quality. Timber or lumber from Ghana is valued greatly and used to make furniture, handicrafts, toys, and more. The most popular types of lumber from Ghana are Teak, Mahogany, Sapele, Bubinga, Maobi, Ebony, Iroko, Apa and Sesse wood. About one third of Ghana is covered with forest and its wood is 3rd highest revenue source making forestry one of Ghana’s main export.

Ghana is one of the most stable countries in Africa and its government supports and encourages entrepreneurship. Ghana has also received financial aid to help its forest industry so more wood can be grown and used. Ghana supplied timber to Europe from 1833 to 1945 after which it started exporting manufactured lumber.

Wood can be kiln dried or air dried and each piece may have subtle differences since it’s made from the hands of skilled craftsmen and not mass produced by machines. The handmade furniture from Ghana is influenced by its rich culture and history of ancient tribes that goes back thousands of years. The skilled craftsmen make beautiful stools with ancient African tribal designs. The African stool is very important in Ghana. The national symbol of Ghana is the Golden Stool and the Ashanti people believe that the soul of their nation resides in this symbol.

The Ashanti tribe is the largest in Ghana and they are famous for their handmade stools, other handmade crafts and their skilled craftsmanship. Other tribal influences come from Guan, Gurba, Fanti, Ewe, and Mole-Dagbani.

The traditional Ghana tribal stool, which is beautifully decorated, has been used for thousands of years and is still used today in Ghana for sitting at dinner. Because the furniture is inspired by African tribes such as the Ashanti tribe it’s the perfect accessory to any home because it’s beautiful, unique, exotic and skillfully crafted.

African Home Decor: Click to view Ghana furniture collection at Cultural Elements

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

« Previous Page — Next Page »