Contemporary furniture with a whiff of regional and period charm, fashioned out of differently textured wood with brilliant embellishments, brings a special resonance to the Central Cottage Industries’ exhibition, ‘Furniture Mela.’ One can see the artisan’s nuanced work in the curve of the claw leg of a chair, table or console, in the flawless reproduction of a gleaming, period mirror–set corner stand, in the ancient dhokra-work figurines and the bold brass sheet work, which covers the Jodhpur dowry boxes and the ‘rustic to royal’ furniture items.
There is harmony of design and a touch of brightness, with bright ceramic tiles, brass fixings and delicate golden dhokra-work setting off the dark grains of rosewood, teak and sheesham.
Nowhere is this charm more evident than in the pretty teakwood consoles on display. The glass-topped consoles have delicate dhokra-work of rural vignettes bordered by colourful Warli art, which also embellishes side tables and coffee tables.
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Eye catching is the yellow tiles on sofa sets, chairs and side tables, apart from the dressing tables and the 8ft. tall, elegantly carved corner tables. The yellow tiles run through part of the collection like a recurring motif.
Hoshiarpur’s furniture with their confetti spattered look of inlay patterning, bring out the delicate beauty of contrasting white inlay design on dark sheesham and teak. Attractive elephant leg tables, teapoys and boxes are also part of this furniture line.
Mysore’s inlay work with natural coloured wood on rosewood surface of carved dining tables tell tales of wild life, rural idylls and marriage processions. Done with a deft hand, it is a perennial favourite.
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Jodhpur brings colour and a touch of sheesham wood to sofa sets, divans, almirahs and slim cases, The collection varies from bold brass embossing on enormous chests to high-backed, carved three-piece sofa sets with compelling coffee tables covered with burnished brass squares. Almirahs and sides boards with typical brass work, ‘nagara,’ dining tables with delicate brass border etchings and painted rural animals covered with gold embossed patterns give them an ethnic look.
There is also a wealth of tile and dhokra art tables, teak rocking chairs , rosewood puja mandaps, jute-backed verandah chairs and sheesham foot rests to choose from.
‘Furniture Mela’ is on from May 15 to 24, at Temple Towers, Anna Salai (near Nandanam), Teynampet.