Sankheda Furniture of Gujarat

      The unique art of Sankheda, a village in central Gujarat, which uses paint and lacquer on wood to fashion exquisite pieces of furniture as well as other ornate objects. The Sankheda artisans are very proud of their centuries old legendary know-how. The Sankheda carpenters have kept up with the age of automation as far as some of their tools are concerned but not at the cost of compromising on the inherent quality of the art. The wood used is teak wood and the brush used is made of hair from a squirrel's tail.

      To maintain this furniture for several years, some care has to be taken. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight or heat as it loses its glow and the colours fade. It should not be cleaned with oil or water. It should just be wiped clean with a dry cloth.

      Several families in the village of Sankheda are involved in satisfying the growing demand for the furniture industry world-wide, which has made the village famous.