Rajasthani women

The rugs are not made in unforgiving factory conditions, but rather made by hand in the artisan's home on a simple loom made from logs of desert trees. This art form is passed from generation to generation, and while children are in no way directly involved in making the rugs, they are able to watch and learn until they are ready to take over the family tradition. Compared to other rural to urban drifters who get economically and socially lost as they crowd big cities in search of employment, your purchases bring the weavers of Salawas income with respect and dignity in their own indigenous dwellings.

 
Two artisans weaving a large dhurrie in their village while the children watch

Artisan weaving a colorful dhurrie

Supporting the artisan community also helps revive and keep traditional techniques alive. Vegetable dying was originally used but is now being used less and less because it is time and labor intensive and more expensive. Please visit our showroom in Cambridge, MA to see our initial selection of vegetable dyed dhurries.

Our furniture is also as much as possible environmentally friendly - it is antique or crafted from old, reclaimed wood and carved panels from homes and furniture that finds a new life in our pieces of furniture. The benefits are obvious, reducing the need for new wood, but also preserving these pieces of art, such as old carved wooden ceilings of incredible ornamentation.