Indian Crafts - Sankheda Furniture

Sankheda furniture, common in Gujarat, is known for its grand, hand-painted motifs on lacquered turned teakwood. Sankheda is derived from the Gujarati word ‘sanghedu’, which refers to lathe. The sturdy pieces are vibrant and exquisite pieces of art. Sankheda is designed by artisans belonging to the Kharadi community and is now internationally renowned for its cultural and ethnic significance to India.

Significance

Sankheda furniture, being auspicious, is a common gift during marriages in the Gujarati community. A child’s cradle, known as a ghodiyun is believed to be one of the Sankheda furniture items. Cradles have become a treasured heirloom within the community and is passed down through generations. It is also believed that in the past, Gujarati royalty gifted cradles to other royalty and heads of other countries. 

Interestingly, this craft has created a deep sense of collective identity amongst the craftsmen. The process of making furniture involves different skills, therefore, many craftsmen are involved in the production of each piece. Some train to become masters in wood-turning, while others aim to become masters in painting patterns. There are 10-15 master craftsmen who are experts in all the skills and they oversee the production to ensure uniformity within a piece and across all pieces of furniture. The relationship between all the craftsmen involved is of an interdependent nature, due to which they possess a common identity. This feeling of oneness runs so deep amongst them that they named the town after the craft. 

Sankheda furniture is also protected under India’s Geographical Indications (GI) Act, 1999, therefore increasing its value and significance to members of the community. 

Origin

A local legend talks about the Suthars who migrated from an old citadel called Hampaner due to their land being taken over during a conquest. The people of this community started lac turney and carpentry in sankheda around 500 years ago. Two of the Kharadi elders of the community who learned about the transparent lacquer work saw a Muslim artisan on a visit for raw materials in Vadodara. The artisan was painting an egg with tin paints and coated it with lac to give it a shine. His art was his source of livelihood and he got paid by selling his products to royal members. The artisan agreed to teach the Kharadi men, who learned the art in secret. 

According to another legend, 200 years ago, the carpenters in Vadodara were impoverished. When a baba from Aravalli hills came to the village for help, the villagers asked him for guidance out of their dire situation. The baba realised that their only skill was carpentry, so taught them how to elevate their craft by making and using lacquer on their products. This is considered to be the inception of Sankheda. Over time, artisans started experimenting more by adding tinfoil to the wood in addition to hand-painted motifs and ornamentations. Sankheda furniture is thought to have been an essential part of Vadodara since around the 1820s.