The story of Indian vintage furniture that travels through time
नमस्ते!
Hello, this is Tanabe from SHARK ATTACK Yamato store!
Furniture adds color to your life. Why not choose something that isn't just a "thing" but one that has a special "story" behind it?
Today, we invite you into the world of Indian vintage furniture, which we are deeply in love with.
When you hear the word "vintage," you might just think of something old.
But the appeal of Indian vintage furniture doesn't end there.
"Indian vintage" embodies a multi-layered charm that is woven together with a specific era and aesthetics, as well as the deep history, culture, and art that lie behind them. .
It has a unique presence that new items don't have.
This is what we want to bring to you! This is the charm of vintage furniture.
Why is Indian vintage furniture so captivating?
The Indian vintage furniture we handle truly bears the mark of having transcended time.
For example, recycled wood is often used, and not just because it's environmentally friendly.
Beams and doors from old buildings, and sometimes even wood from ships, are breathed new life and reborn as furniture. Each piece embodies the long history of that wood and the "stories" that have been cherished by human hands over and over again. No two pieces are the same, and the worn texture, unique scratches, and depth of color are a beauty that can never be expressed with new wood. The presence of this "one-of-a-kind furniture" is sure to pique the curiosity of those who are particular about their lifestyle.
In fact, at the workshop we partner with, the first step is to find the raw materials that can be transformed into furniture from a huge pile of wood.
▲ It's like a treasure trove! A huge amount of recycled wood is collected from old buildings. From here, wood is selected to breathe new life into the building.
Then, skilled craftsmen assess the condition of each piece of wood and process it carefully.
▲ Work in the workshop. In the background, you can see old doors and ornaments. These too are waiting to be recycled into new pieces of furniture.
▲Craftsmen with many years of experience carefully process and assemble the wood. This handcrafted work creates the warmth of each unique piece of furniture.
Furthermore, meticulous manual work continues, such as polishing the surface and applying paint, and sometimes even stripping off old paint to breathe new life into the piece.
▲ The surface of the furniture is polished to a smooth finish, while taking advantage of the natural texture of the wood.
▲ You can see that different colored woods are combined. This is the look you can only get from recycled wood furniture. It's no wonder that there are so many colorful items in Indian vintage furniture.
▲ Painting gives furniture a new color and texture, giving it a whole new look.
After going through these processes, a one-of-a-kind piece of Indian vintage furniture is completed.
It is also worth noting that in the world of Indian interior design, there are many reproductions, remodels, and recycled items, but this does not mean that the originals are of less value.
Rather, it is imbued with a deep respect for past designs and the artisan's passion to pass on these wonderful creations to future generations.
For example, brands such as Phantom Hands, known for their high-quality reproductions of vintage Indian furniture, bring furniture designed by masters of modern Indian architecture back to life in the present day, while respecting the techniques and materials of the time.
The furniture they have restored is not simply a reproduction, but is crafted with meticulous attention to detail to ensure it fits into modern lifestyles. This is a testament to the timeless design of Indian vintage furniture and their commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
"The charm of not being new," "the history," and "enjoying the memories that the furniture has created."
This is the core of the appeal of the vintage furniture that SHARKATTACK offers.
The depth of Indian interior design woven through the ages
Getting to know Indian vintage furniture is like taking a journey through Indian history and culture.
Long ago in ancient India, the philosophy of "Vastu Shastra" had a profound influence on the design of residential spaces.
Roughly speaking, you can think of this as an Indian version of Feng Shui .
Rather than simply focusing on functionality and beauty, philosophical ideas such as "How can we help our residents live healthy and happy lives?" and "How can we create a space that is in harmony with the energy of the universe?" were incorporated into the layout of the house, the placement of the furniture, and even the finest details of the furnishings. .
What we see When you imagine that such grand ideas existed behind old furniture, doesn't it pique your curiosity even more?
Now, here's a bit of a historical story...
During the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, Islamic influence brought about a major transformation in Indian interior design.
During this period, the rigorous geometric patterns of Islam and the rich naturalistic expression of India were combined to establish the magnificent Indo-Islamic style. .
The richly detailed décor includes inlay work, ceramic tiles, intricate relief carvings, flora and fauna motifs, and Arabic calligraphy. .
I am impressed by how the fusion of different cultures has resulted in such rich designs.
Furthermore, during the 16th and 17th centuries in European countries, particularly the British colonial period, a unique "hybrid style" was born, where Western design and traditional Indian craftsmanship were beautifully combined. .
Furniture created during this period, such as furniture that combines British Chippendale style with Indian design, and the "Plantation Chair" that pursues comfort, are truly the fruits of cultural exchange between East and West. Among the furniture we introduce at SHARKATTACK, there are "hybrid" pieces that evoke this history. There's a lot of vintage Indian furniture.
And even after India gained independence, the evolution of design continued.
Global trends such as 20th century Modernism, Art Deco and Bauhaus were also incorporated, and they permeated India through the influence of renowned designers such as Marcel Breuer, Le Corbusier and George Nakashima. .
In Chandigarh, a city designed by Le Corbusier, his collaborator Pierre Jeanneret designed the Cross Easy Chair, a sculptural and elegant piece of modernist furniture. .
Companies like Godrej & Boyce, a century-old Indian conglomerate, mass-produced Bauhaus-inspired tubular steel chairs, and the Godrej Steel Chair became a symbol of modernist furniture in India. Now It is highly regarded as Indian vintage furniture.
▲Godrej Steel Chair (1930s~)
▲ Chandigarh Cross Easy Chair (1950's~)
▲A craftsman weaving new wisteria into a teak frame.
Find your own "story"
At SHARK ATTACK, we don't just sell beautiful furniture. What we want to deliver is the unique story that each piece of Indian vintage furniture has, and the experience that will create a new chapter in your life.
While it's nice to look at them through a screen, we encourage you to visit a SHARKATTACK store and experience the unique aura of these Indian vintage furniture pieces. By actually touching and sitting in them, and experiencing the history and warmth of their craftsmanship, your curiosity for Indian interior design will surely deepen.
Please come to SHARKATTACK to find your own unique piece of furniture.
All our staff look forward to seeing you.