Introducing the Pilgrimage handmade look

Pilgrimage is committed to supporting local artisans around the world. We adore the authenticity of the rare and the original. Our collection of wares seeks to give an insight into the rich tapestry of global culture and the ever-shifting concept of beauty. We have gathered this carefully edited 2017 collection together because we fell in love with each and every piece and wanted to bring it home.

The personality and character of a handmade item cannot be compared to a machine-made piece. There is a term for this perfect imperfection: Wabi Sabi. This philosophy celebrates beauty in what is natural, flaws and all. Loosely translated from Japanese, “wabi” is simplicity, whether elegant or rustic; “sabi” means the beauty of age and wear. Wabi Sabi is the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, the antithesis of our classical Western notion of beauty. Many regions in traditionally craft-based countries such as India and Indonesia specialize in a specific technique, the skill handed down from generation to generation.

Mother-of-Pearl Furniture

Pilgrimage works with artisanal carpenters and craftsmen in the city of Udaipur, who use a traditional marquetry technique of applying an intricate patterned veneer of individually carved pieces of shell, to a durable, handmade mango wood frame, resulting in beautiful and timeless furniture. This technique results in the Mother of Pearl Inlay furniture pieces that are not uniform and mass produced, but each with characterful nuances that are truly unique. Charboy Daybed

Today, Charpoy beds continue to be used throughout South Asia both as beds and as ritual objects. Our own custom Charpoys are made in Jodhpur. It requires not only skill at carpentry for the base, but also remarkable manual dexterity as experienced makers weave the cotton chords very quickly. These chords form the ‘mattress’ of the daybed, in a surprisingly comfortable and beguiling geometric rope design. They can be used as tables, daybeds or just decor. Parasols

In the Balinese dialect, Balinese Ceremonial Parasols are known as ‘tedung’, which literally means ‘to guard’, and are used in ceremonial parades and within temple compounds. They add colour and meaning to Balinese daily life. All parasols are entirely handmade, and will bring a wonderfully whimsical element to any contemporary courtyard or interior.

Screens

Handcarved Jali Screens where originally designed to ventilate homes in hot climates, but have now evolved as decorative partition screens. Hand carved by skilled craftsmen in Rajasthan, our screens are painted in a chalk-white colour to fit in with the more spartan contemporary interior.

White-on-White Trend

Our hot trend alert for this season is White On White. We love our new white-on-white appliqué throws and cushion covers. Handmade cotton cutouts, on top of a layer of white muslin cloth, the technique known as Katab, can be traced back to the Nomadic people of the desert, piecing together their tents and canopies, and decorating them with elaborate appliqué. Festive patchwork textiles created for special occasions are still found in many parts of India. In a modern home setting, they can be used to cover a bed or couch, and add a subtle boho flair to any room. Contact: Pilgrimage Spaces Words by interior consultant for Pilgrimage Spaces: Niki Zigras