Wooden Lacquerware of Sankheda, Gujarat

Sankheda, in the Vadodara district, is well-known for its brightly coloured wooden furniture. This furniture is made by the Kharadi Suthars, an artisan group. They do this with hand instruments, lathes, and basic machines. Sankheda’s hand-painted furniture heritage dates back to the mid-1800s. To start, the Suthars use lathes to transform blocks of wood. The wood is then shaved and smoothed to achieve the distinctive rounded shapes. Following that, each piece is hand-painted and frequently highlighted with gold or silver, with flower designs, peacock motifs, abstract sketches, and elegant lace-like shapes. For drawing, a brush made of very fine squirrel fur is usually used. Lacquer is applied to the parts after they have been painted. Finally, the bits are drilled to make room for tongue and groove or other types of joinery needed to match and shape them into furniture.

Though Sankheda is best known for its furniture and low stools known as bajoths, the Suthars also make dandiya sticks, candle stands, powder boxes, toys, utensils, rolling pins, and lacquered wooden temples.