Jaltarang means waves on water, and the name of the old Indian instrument played on a row of water-filled bowls, each tuned to a different note. These baskets work the same way: three sizes from one weave. They are braided from kauna, a reed from the wetlands of Manipur, over a cane and bamboo frame, each with a cut-out hand-hold at the ends. Use them together on one shelf or spread them through the house. When you don't need them, they nest inside each other and take up the space of one. Buy the set of three, or the single size you need.
Specifications
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Set includes: 1 small, 1 medium, 1 large basket (or a single size)
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Small: 8 x 8 x 3 in (20 x 20 x 8 cm)
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Medium: 10 x 10 x 4 in (25 x 25 x 10 cm)
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Large: 12 x 12 x 5 in (30 x 30 x 13 cm)
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Material: Kauna grass on a cane and bamboo frame
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Craft: Hand-braided
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Origin: Manipur
Which size for what
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Small: toiletries, stationery, keys, spice jars
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Medium: folded t-shirts, kitchen linen, chargers and cables
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Large: bath towels, a folded throw, kids' toys
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All three: one wardrobe shelf, sorted; or nested, as a single centrepiece
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.
