Friday Finds: Aranmula Kannadi ~ Kerala's best kept secret :)

Anpu has been a constant source of inspiration for me. This lady is a bundle of talent - an excellent cook, keeps a perfect home, an avid gardener, an amazing painter and most of all, a great human being. She juggles all this while being a busy IT professional. 

Her home has an amazing collection of antiques, her artwork and DIYs. I had previously featured her antique air blower she picked from her travel to the middle east. This time, she spoke about her Aranmula kannadi and I had to share it on the blog :)

Her beautiful Aranmula Kannadi was a gift from her friend.These mirrors are unique handmade metal alloy mirror, made in Aranmula, a village in Kerala, India. Kannadi means mirror in malayalam. 

(one from her collection - Mysore painting)

Its interesting to note that unlike normal 'silvered' glass mirrors, these Aranmula Kannadi is a metal-alloy mirror, it is a front surface reflection mirror, and has no secondary reflections typically seen in the mirrors we normally use..In the Aranmula mirror there is no gap or distortion between the mirror and the object, while in the normal mirror there is a gap.

Amazing isnt it? :) 

Pics courtesy: Anpu :)

Friday Finds ~ Yarn Chair

I was tagged in a conversation to identify this chair..I had no information, but this picture to begin my research...Just like most of the things I write about....An interesting three hours later, this is what I found :)

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Gaetano Pesce Up Collection

Since its first appearance, the Up series, designed in 1969, has been one of the most outstanding expressions of design. The exceptional visual impact of seven models of seats, in various sizes, has made them unique in time. Up5 is the collection’s most famous, a female figure tied to a ball-shaped ottoman symbolizing the shackles that keep women subjugated’. 

A large sculpture that celebrates both the modern and the traditional, the UP7 “foot” is almost an archaeological relic of the modern era, expressing a fusion of art and design. Elastic fabric cover is available in black, red, yellow, blue and dark green, besides the beige and orange striped solution.

Structure: 
Bayfit® (Bayer®) flexible cold shaped polyurethane foam

Cover: 
jersey fabric

Bottom base: 
fabric 100% jute

Information and picture source: bonluxat.com

Beautiful isn't it..a cool stretch of imagination ...it looks like the ottoman/ball of yarn is going to roll away any moment!! A classic 60's design. I feel good when I find sufficient information about an object / piece or furniture item when all I had was a small picture or a minute long glimpse at the antique mall to start with. It does make every blogging minute worthwhile! :)

Friday Finds: Brazilian Designer: Semana Carlos and his Reclaimed Wood Furniture

This week's Friday Find is a Furniture Designer who believes in being Environmentally responsible...(me likes!!!).  After I had posted about Thomas Wold and his super creative work>> HERE, Divya of Sound Horn Please shared her find with me. (Thanks Divya)...:-). I immediately created a draft post and somehow forgot to publish it the next time. Sorry about that...

So here I go...

“Good design has a social and environmental responsibility,” says Motta, who makes many of his chairs, benches, tables and desks from wood salvaged from demolition sites. “A piece of furniture has to last for a long, long time, because we don’t change how we sit, sleep, eat, write, and so on, so the overall attitude should stay the same.” Motta, who says he likes to design for people who have the same basic needs as he does, calls the use of reclaimed wood in furniture “a simple matter of sustainability.” To follow is a selection of furniture that will be shown at the exhibition. 

Read more: source

A few of his creations

Motta’s Butantã bench, which he says is “made of reclaimed wood from an old bridge demolition."

Motta calls this Aroeira-wood table Jaraguá—“another beautiful Brazilian Indian name,” he says. “This wood was once part of a post used by the English company Light, when they came to Brazil in 1910 to install power lines from São Paulo to inland towns.” 

The Mantiqueiras sofa, designed in 2001 of peroba rosa. “This is a very low sofa, so you sit very close to the floor,” says Motta. “I made the first one for my house in the mountains, to go right in front the fireplace.

Designed in 2009, the Butantã bench is held together by small, patinaed iron I beams.

Horizonte desk in waxed peroba rosa and cabriúva wood, iron and leather, from 2009

Named after a surf spot on the São Paulo coast, Taguaíba was designed in 2008 of peroba wood. Motta says that he strives to “stay far away from the ephemeral and what is en vogue,” in his designs, which he hopes “fulfill their utilitarian function and are comfortable and durable, with a good aesthetic

I really loved his wholisitc approach to using reclaimed wood and mixing it with other reclaimed material...Isn't he an artist :-)

Read more about his work >>Here and >>Here

Images and quotes : dwell 

Friday finds ~ Antique Foot Scrubbers

Been a while since I went to my thrift and antique stores, hence the lack of friday finds on the blog...this time around it was an interesting dicovery online..and it is all about keeping your feet clean!!

Yes, it is about Foot scrubbers. I had a brush with this very beautiful piece recently. A fellow blogger recently held a contest where readers were asked to guess what the antique piece was :).

and the base

michaelbackmanltd.com

Amazing isnt it...

A little more digging later (phew!! thanks to google).. I found that  this object, called  "vajri", was from India  and probably from the early 18th and 19th C. to be These lovely pieces were used as foot scrubbers by women bathing in a local pond or the river. These vajris have bearings (tiny metal balls) inside and were designed to jingle or rattle while in use. This was to let people know to respect the bathing women's privacy and stay away from that area (source: a friend's grandmother :))!!! I wish she had one and i could have it from her :P 

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( I am sure there must be similar ones in existence long before the 17th century. India had a flourishing civilization with indoor plumbing etc almost 5000 years ago!- remember Indus civilization - Mohenjadaro and Haraapa!)

Antique brass ones seem to have been quite popular and were made in many shapes and decorated with an animal motif, for e.g. peacock, elephant, lion, etc.  The sculpted base are what makes them functional and gentle to use. 

A few other shapes :-)

lots more!!

michaelbackmanltd.com

Having such pretty foot scrubbers indicate the exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail in Indian Handicraft...I am swept off my feet :P


Not sure if it related...but Vajri in Sanskrith means Thunder or even Lord Indra ..Let me know if you have any idea how the name for the foot scrubber must have been derived :) 




Before I say adios! a reminder about the giveaway : Here



PS: silly me..i asked for the paati's inputs after i posted my answer on the co-blog.:). 

Friday Finds ~ Porringers

Another item I see in most antique stores ~ Porringers. 

Porringer is a small dish from which Europeans and colonial Americans ate their gruel or porridge, or other soft food. These bowls are generally 4" to 6" in diameter, and 1½" to 3" deep.

Colonial porringers have one handle 

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whereas European ones tend to have two handles on opposite sides

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I found a few pieces with the owner's initials engraved on them. A few came with a lid as well.

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It is believed that these bowls, with single or double handles, originated in the medieval period in Europe. They were made of wood, ceramic, pewter or silver. 

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Later ones were made of brass or aluminum as well. Peculiarity of these bowls are their flat handles. And unlike regular cups or bowls, their handles face upwards :)


Interesting facts
Original porringers are very rare and uncommon today. This is because, porringers made in USA prior to the American Revolution (c. 1776) were looted from kitchens and turned in, to make bullets for soldiers. The most famous colonial porringers are probably those made by Paul Revere. Nowadays, Porringers are given as a gift for the Christening of a child. Porringers resemble smaller quaich, a Scottish drinking vessel.


Quaich

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Friday Finds ~ French Butter Keeper (Butter Bell)

This week's find is a very utilitarian, antique pot/crock used to store butter  (with out the need for refrigeration :)

French Butter Keeper (or) Butter Bell 

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Before refrigerators came into being, butter was kept in earthenware pots, and sometimes submerged in water. I keep bumping into antique and modern versions of the Butter crocks/pots. The original water submerged  butter crock /bell is said to have originated in France in the Middle Ages. (5th to 15th century)

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There are two pieces to the crock, the interior piece which holds the butter and the exterior which holds approximately 1/3 cup of cold water. The water works as a seal keeping your butter fresh and spreadable. If used correctly, butter is said to remain fresh for up to 30 days. Cool isnt it!!...Just keep changing the water every three days. Although butter may slip out in higher temperatures, this is better than a refrigerator because the butter is protected from the air, and it remains at room temperature. 

Off late, I see a lot of well known brands reproducing the old style crock. Which one would you want ??

Marble bell

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Glass 

ceramic or vintage Enamel 

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ceramic

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I may end up getting one home soon...funny part - We don't eat butter...lol

Friday finds ~ Brass Love - with updates :)

Found this beautiful brass and silver punch bowl (or may be dessert/ kheer serving set :)) 

via Etsy and blog

Exotic isn't it!!!!! The seller described it as a mid century (1950-60) set from India. I am researching on the period and style (looks more like a middle east inspired set to me)..what say?

An update:

Thanks everyone for the love! With so many co-enthusiasts pouring in their comments and ideas, I thought updating this post with some information would be the best thing to do.

This bowl could be from India (according to the seller). But influence is Old world middle eastern/ persian. :). I say this with all due respect to Indian style and handicrafts. We (Indians) cannot deny inspirations and influences we have had from artisans across the world. Most of the etched brass / bidri work etc. , we see in India now, are said to be inspired from work which dating back to mughal empire (1526 AD - 1803 AD) and little before the mughal period( 1200 AD - 1500 AD). During the sultanate (reign), artisans were brought from persia to work and transfer skills to Indian artisans. Hence, the Persian (middle eastern ) influence on our handicrafts (from that period and later).

Art and architecture in the Indian subcontinent, prior to mughal reign (1 AD - 1200 AD), belong to various styles for example, Sangam era aesthetics (in the south), and Rashtrakuta (north western and central parts), Kakatiyas, Guptas, etc (in the Gangetic plains and Deccan plateau). Our history is very rich when it comes to patrons of art, crafts and architecture

Indian craftsmen have known to exchange ideas with every civilization existing during their times, all thanks to extensive trade and political dynamics (for example Greek invasion (180 BC - 1AD)- who can forget Alexander), and migrations from southern Siberia into Gandhara, Kashmir, Punjab, and into parts of Western and Central India,Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

I believe that our furniture, art and architecture have influenced rest of the world as much as we have been inspired.  Hope this information clarifies as to why most of our indian handicrafts look similar to this. . I would definitely like to know more (and feel free to send in corrections if any). 

Thank you for liking the post and stopping by to comment..love to see co enthusiasts share their views and ideas

Friday Finds ~ Movies masti and magic. Indian movies and Danish /MCM inspirations.....MGR style!

I am back with my movies and art direction series...apologies for the long break in posting a song from my folder...So, dont you love all the gooey goodness in this set. What is not to love, wood tones, wall unit, long couch with such pretty side tables, lamps...dont miss the dining set in the long shot (Neils O Moller's teak set. yay!..:)..All set in a beautiful 50s inspired floor plan with a caned lattice screen/room divider and a welded iron room divider (sigh!), embossed wall, and all the beautiful details. I could just keep going.

While you devour all the the decor pieces and the set, enjoy a romantic number with a beautiful and very stylish  Jayalalitha and the evergreen MGR. (I dont mind their occasional jumping jacks)

sing: enna porutham
Movie :Ragasiya Police 115 Directed by B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu Starring M. G. Ramachandran J. Jayalalitha M. N. Nambiar S. A. Ashokan Nagesh Music by M. S. Viswanathan Lyricist: Kannadasan Studio Padmini Pictures Release date(s) 11 January 1968

Art in our movies was so classy in the 50s and 60s

View my other posts on Indian Cinema and Danish inspirations..
here

Vintage finds ~ Walnut Candle Sconce

Walnut Veneer and plywood Sconce....yummy!

This is my vintage candle holder, bent plywood veneer wall sconce (holds three small candles). It has been made from two curved pieces of plywood, has brass arms and candle holder parts. I love the way they finished off the candle holders. Each of those have been finished off with an elongated wood bullet form at the bottom. It is a very beautiful addition to retro or a typical mid century decor 

I never lit candles in them, but they holds a smaller candle, one half inch or less in diameter. There are two holes for hanging. The person who sold it to me said that it was from the late 50's and originally from Sweden..lovely isn't it. :)

i could never click such amazing pics of my sconce..picture from an etsy store

Friday Finds~~~Indian Movies and Danish Furniture inspirations :-)

I am a huge fan on old hindi movies (all the late 50's to early 70's) for a very crazy reason. All the drool worthy art direction and the very prominent mid century/danish influence on the decor. Super cool isn't it...want to see what I mean.

While you enjoy the very versatile Rafi on the soundtrack, and a handsome Sunil Dutt wooing a very pretty Saroja Devi ...look at all the Danish /mid century glory at work, beautifying the whole set. :). Dont miss the very prominent tea cart, dining set, hutch and the  yummy chairs and the entire living room set. And yes, dont forget the accent wall. Drool~~~

I can share a ton of such movie sets from my inspirations folder. I always wonder, as to what would have happened to all these wonderful accent and decor pieces after the movies were done being shot. I wish I could buy every piece which was ever a part of the Indian film industry...sigh!! Most of my time is spent researching whereabouts of furniture pieces i see in movies of that era...cool right!

A Mersman End table ~ neighbour's envy, Owners pride

I seem to have a thing for step tables...and something so well made...who can resist its charm...yum!..this piece is currently listed on local craigslist..


sigh!

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Awesomeness! "drooling right now :P"

These tables are generally a part of a typical mid century living room set up, paired with a single arm sectional sofa and/or loveseat(s) set 

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or say this, 

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Eye Candy...a few more MCM pieces from the Mersman's modern line

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So what do you think..could you live with this?? (excuse my partiality to mid century, clean line furniture)

PS: (btw, doesnt the title remind of you of a certain Satan like character from an old (Indian) TV Ad) "smiles"

Friday finds - Accordion Style Sewing Cabinet

This post is specially for my ma-in-law and all those who love their needles and spools!In continuation to my feature on antique and vintage sewing machine>>HERE..

I tend to see sewing cases quite frequently in my antiquing trips. Among the few styles I have seen, let me share the ones which are called sewing cantliver (accordion style) cases.

this is how it looks... all opened up

source:picclick.com

another one

Pretty is'nt it!

This one has a cushioned top with tapestry fabric. I later came to know that the cushion was for sewing pins and needles.

collectible-articles.com

one with out legs (a very rustic n shabby chic piece)

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Vintage pieces are sold for anywhere between $50 to a few hundred dollars. If you are into sewing, I am sure you would want to own a preloved vintage/ antique one. I know my ma-in-law would love to....:)

Before I leave just a reminder about the CSN Giveaway on the Design Enthusiast

Friday Find - Antique Sewing Machines

So what's new about antique sewing machines and why should it be a Friday find?!!..

I thought so too...until I bumped into one at a local thrift store. It did not look like a sewing machine to start with. but a closer look confirmed that it sure was one...:)...I am going to take a camera with me from now on..but for now .pl make do with a picture I found online...(found this one after extensive search (phew!!) (this post was in the draft mode forever as I had no clue what I was looking for and the thrift store sold the piece before my next visit...arrhh!)

A lot of digging later, I found that it was a pre world war machine..used to sew shoes...

some more amazing info on this piece; source:civilwartalk.com

Lyman had worked for Isaac Singer in his Singer Sewing Machine Co. Lyman set up sewing machines in the numerous shoe factories in the northeast of the United States during the 19th century. By 1856, Lyman as a co-owner of a shoe factory and developed improved ways to construct the shoes. 
By July 1858, Lyman had developed a sewing machine for helping attach the soles of shoes to the upper part of the shoe. No longer would hand sewing be the method, but with machines to switch, making the manufacturing cost of shoes much less. His later sold the invention of the shoe sewing machine to Gordon McKay. 

A few other antique / vintage models...

source: ebay

After I came home, I set out researching on vintage shapes and sizes of these lovely antique models. Let me share a few of them

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a very pretty piece! I couldnt  image the journey our humble sewing machine must have had to look like what it does today...

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.i couldnt research on their time frame or manufacturer details..(plan to update the post later). And before I bid adieu for now...I would recommend these two articles

1 - Sewing machine history

2- An Interview With Antique Sewing Machine Collector Harry Berzack

Happy Pongal and a great weekend folks!