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Indian furniture is regarded as prized because of its ethnic flavour. Traditional Indian woodcarvers continue to follow the style of their ancestors keeping traditional crafts alive.
Among the regional specialties, nothing can outdo Rajasthani and Gujrati woodcraft. The antique look and Intricate craftsmanship have kept the furniture in demand both in India and aboard. Carved and decorated chests, chairs, cradles, low tables and stools are hard to resist. Each object is Pleasing, whether inlaid with brass sheet work, painted with dancing figures, or embellished with hunting scenes. From Kishangarh, comes painted furniture of screens, doors, caskets and chairs. The regions of Ramgarh and Shekhawati specialize in ornamental wooden furniture with floral designs that adorn projected niches and balconies of houses. Barmer and Jodhpur produce the finest carved furniture in the state, which includes window, tables, beds, dining tables and chairs, sofa sets with centre tables, couches, cabinets, dressing tables, screens, bars, trolleys and other items of domestic use.
One can also find white metal furniture in the desert state. Metal furniture has come from royal families in India that clad some wooden furniture pieces with gold or silver sheets, especially for ceremonial purposes. The concept became popular and gradually the gold and silver was replaced by the white metal to make it economically viable.
Papier-mache, popular in some parts of the country, has been put to skilful use by artisans in Rajasthan to Manufacture unique and attractive looking pieces of furniture including chairs, couches, benches and seats, cabinets and container shelves.
Sankheda from Gujrat is known for its colourful toys and wooden furniture. Other Gujrati woodcrafted products include candle holders, decorative tableware, wooden fruit, nut and salad bowls, traycum-side table, dinner set, soup bowls and a range of cutlery.
Cane and Bamboo from Assam, Tripura, arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal in Different styles and motifs is also very popular. Not just as Furniture but as baskets, Floor mats and other household utility items.
Utilitarian and decorative items are made from cane in different styles and motifs, of which baskets and mats are the most popular. Tripura and Bengal are famous for elegant screens and bamboo mats, made from split bamboo. Assam, a state with abundant raw material, has a large variety of beautiful products like baskets, mugs for rice beer, hukkas, musical instruments and floor mats. Neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh excels in cane and bamboo work too, producing items such as cane belts. From Tamil Nadu, come the famed kora grass mats. The most delicate mats are made in Kerala, where black and white square bamboo boxes are also made in the same tradition, making excellent gifts.
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