Marquetry is where woodworking meets the joy of puzzle-building.
Master artisans in our Mysore atelier work with pieces of aged timber, and fit them together to create a story told in wood.
The most intricate artworks can often contain upto thousands of individual pieces of wood, each interlocking perfectly to reveal stories hidden in grain.
Taarkashi is the embellishment of wooden surfaces with flattened metal wire.
The earliest artisans of Taarkashi used wires of pure silver and gold to embellish rosewood (shisham) for royal patronage.
When combined with Marquetry, the result can be breathtaking.
ChippiWara furniture is crafted out of teak reclaimed from old structures.
This well-seasoned timber allows us to create products built to last using traditional joinery techniques and a contemporary design sensibility.
The Marquetry panels incorporated into the structure of our furniture endow each piece with a unique voice and personality.
We often work in close collaboration with architects and interior designers to create custom panels for projects ranging from homes to hospitality.
For instance, Aam Bahaar Panel was originally created for a client in Baroda
while Victoria Terminus Panel was a Mumbai
lover's ode to their city.
'Wood' refers to the untreated raw material obtained directly from a tree.
Timber, on the other hand, is wood that has been prepared for woodworking.
The timber we source for furniture is teak reclaimed from old structures and buildings.
The history so naturally embedded in this salvaged timber lends a vintage to our handcrafted creations.
Meanwhile, the timber we source for marquetry is all-natural and retains its original coloration and grain pattern, ensuring unique character of each artwork.
The result is impossible to find anywhere else.
The Founder
Tanveen Ratti, Founder of ChippiWara, has been committed to telling stories in grain since she graduated from the National Institute of Fashion Technology at the turn of the century.
A traveler and collector of materials, practices and objects, Tanveen's work is a gentle reminder that the crafts we inherit, can be forever relevant.
Process of Making
At ChippiWara, all of our pieces are made-to-order.
The custom, handcrafted nature of our work demands time for perfection.
Our pieces are usually produced and dispatched within 8-12 weeks.
Browse our Lookbook or contact us to submit a requirement.