Jaltarang means waves on water, and the name of the old Indian instrument played on water-filled bowls. These baskets are woven from kauna, a reed from the wetlands of Manipur. A jaali is a lattice, like the carved stone screens of old havelis that let light and air through. This basket has open lattice sides on a cane frame, with a single cane handle arched over the top so you can carry it in one hand from the kitchen to the table, the balcony or the line. The open weave keeps whatever is inside aired.
Specifications
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Size: 9 x 6 x 5.5 in (23 x 15 x 14 cm)
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Material: Kauna grass, cane frame and handle
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Handle: Single cane arched handle
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Craft: Hand-woven open lattice
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Origin: Manipur
Five ways people actually use it
- Carrying vegetables in from the market bag to the kitchen
- A bread or fruit basket on the dining table
- Clothes pegs, carried to the drying line
- A planter sleeve for a small indoor plant
- A gifting basket, filled and handed over
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.
