Jaltarang means waves on water. It is also the old Indian instrument played on a row of water-filled bowls. These baskets come from water too: they are woven from kauna, a reed that grows in the wetlands of Manipur. This one is braided into a dense two-tone plait over a cane and bamboo frame and finished with a straight rim. At each end is a cut-out hand-hold, wrapped so it slides off a shelf and carries without the edge biting into your fingers. Low and wide, it keeps folded things flat instead of piling them up.
Specifications
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Size: 9 x 6 x 5 in (23 x 15 x 13 cm)
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Material: Kauna grass on a cane and bamboo frame
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Handles: Wrapped cut-out hand-holds on both ends
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Craft: Hand-braided
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Origin: Manipur
Five ways people actually use it
- Folded t-shirts and kurtas on a wardrobe shelf
- Rolled hand towels on a bathroom shelf
- Chargers, remotes and the things that live on the sofa arm
- Spices and small jars in the kitchen cabinet
- Kids' crayons and small toys, gathered up
Why kauna
Kauna is a reed that grows in the marshes and wetlands of Manipur's Imphal valley. Fresh, it is soft and spongy; dried, it turns tough enough to hold a shape and light enough to carry with one hand. It has a warm straw-gold colour that varies from stem to stem, which is something no machine weave reproduces. It is a wetland plant that grows back every season, and there is no plastic anywhere in this basket.
The craft
The reed is cut by hand, laid out to dry in the sun until the green turns to gold, and then woven, by hand, around a cane and bamboo frame: braided into a plait, twisted into rope, or opened out into a lattice. Manipur has woven kauna for generations into floor mats and stools, and the same hands now make these baskets. No two come out exactly alike. That is how you can tell a person made it.
Care
- Keep dry. Natural fibre takes in moisture, so keep it out of the wet corner of the bathroom
- Dust with a dry brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum
- Wipe marks with a barely damp cloth, then let it air-dry fully
- If it gets damp, dry it in shade with good airflow, not in direct sun
- If it is pushed out of square, reshape it by hand
Good to know
- Every basket is woven by hand, so sizes can vary by about ¼ in (0.5 cm)
- Colour varies from strand to strand. That is the reed, not a fault
- A faint natural grassy smell when new fades in a few days in open air
- Not suitable for wet items
- Actual colours may vary slightly with your screen settings
Frequently asked questions
Is this kauna, water hyacinth or seagrass?
Kauna grass from Manipur, every strand.
Will it hold its shape?
Yes. The weave is built around a cane and bamboo frame, so it stands up empty and doesn't sag when full.
Can I use it in the bathroom?
On a dry shelf, yes. Not on the floor of a wet bathroom or next to the shower.
Is it handmade?
Yes, every piece is woven by hand in Manipur.
Do you take bulk or corporate gifting orders?
Yes - bulk, wholesale and custom gifting for retail stores, interior designers, boutiques, hotels, homestays, wedding planners and corporate gifting teams. Get in touch with us for quantity pricing.
