Set of round Channapatna hand-painted coasters in vegetable-dye lacquer on ivory wood

Close view of glossy lacquer surface and hand-drawn motif on a Channapatna wood coaster

Channapatna lacquer coasters stacked on a tea tray showing colour variation between pieces

Ethnic Motifs Channapatna Hand-painted Coasters

Curated by Studio Moya

Rs. 995

Product Details

Turned on a lathe from soft ivory wood and finished in glossy vegetable-dye lacquer, these coasters carry the lacquerware tradition of Channapatna in Karnataka's Ramanagara district. The colour is sealed in by heat, not painted on, so it will not flake into your drink. Each is food-safe.

The motifs are drawn by hand, which means slight variation between coasters is the mark of the maker and not a defect. Warm and rounded, the set brings a little colour to a tea tray or desk.

MaterialWood

Art TypeChannapatna

Dimension32X22X6

Materials & Care

Set of 4,Hand-painted with natural & non-toxic colors Avoid soaking in water and Keep away from direct heat

Product Disclosure

SKUSM-CP-C-01

Style CodeSM-CP-C

HSN Code61059000

StateKarnataka

Curated byStudio Moya

Each piece is handcrafted, so slight variations in colour, texture and dimension are natural and celebrate its handmade origin.

These coasters suit a tea tray, a coffee table, or a work desk where a small object can hold colour against neutral wood or stone. The glossy lacquer reads warm under lamplight and a little brighter in daylight, so an open shelf or a side table near a window lets the hand-drawn motifs show. Group the set together. Channapatna's rounded forms look best read as a small family of objects rather than scattered one to a room.

Use them as intended, under cups and glasses. The lacquer shrugs off everyday moisture and the occasional water ring, but these are decorative tableware and not chopping boards or trivets for hot pans straight off the stove. Keep them off sills that bake in afternoon sun, because prolonged direct heat and UV will dull the colour over the years.

They make an easy, light gift. A set of Channapatna coasters travels well, needs no wrapping fuss, and carries a craft story the recipient can repeat: turned and lac-finished by hand in Karnataka's toy town. Pair them with loose-leaf tea or a small brass cup.

Channapatna lacquerware begins with aale mara, the soft ivory wood that grows around the town in Karnataka's Ramanagara district. A block is mounted on a lathe and spun fast while the artisan shapes it with a few simple tools, paring each coaster down to a clean, even round. The work is quick and practised.

Colour comes next, and this is the part that sets the craft apart. Lac, a natural resin, is mixed with vegetable dyes and pressed against the spinning wood. The friction makes heat. The heat melts the lac, and the colour bonds down into the surface instead of sitting on top the way paint would, which is exactly why a true Channapatna piece never chips its colour into your tea.

The motifs are then drawn by hand and the piece is buffed to its soft gloss. The finish is non-toxic, the same reason Channapatna toys have long been trusted for children. No two coasters are identical.

What are Channapatna hand-painted coasters made of?

Channapatna hand-painted coasters are turned from aale mara, the soft ivory wood local to Channapatna in Karnataka. They are finished with lac, a natural resin coloured with vegetable dyes. The lacquer is bonded into the wood by friction heat, not painted over it.

Are Channapatna coasters safe and non-toxic?

Channapatna coasters use non-toxic vegetable-dye lacquer, the same finish that makes Channapatna toys safe for children. There are no synthetic varnishes or harsh chemicals in the traditional process. This makes them suitable for use around food and drink.

How do I clean and care for Channapatna lacquer coasters?

Channapatna lacquer coasters should be wiped with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dried at once. Avoid soaking them, dishwashers, and harsh cleaners, all of which can damage the lac finish. Keep them out of prolonged direct sunlight to protect the colour.

Will the colour on these coasters chip or fade?

The colour on these coasters is sealed into the wood by frictional heat during the lacquering, so it does not flake off the way surface paint can. Over many years, long exposure to direct sun can soften the brightness. Normal indoor use keeps the gloss for a long time.

Where is Channapatna craft from?

Channapatna craft comes from the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka, between Bengaluru and Mysuru. The town is known locally as Gombegala Ooru, the town of toys. Its lacquer-turning tradition is several generations old.

Is Channapatna a GI-protected craft?

Channapatna craft holds a Geographical Indication for its wooden toys and dolls, registered in 2006. The GI recognises the region's centuries-old lacquer-turning tradition. Whether a functional item such as a coaster falls within that specific registration should be confirmed before it is treated as a certified GI product, so we describe the craft as GI-protected rather than badging the product.

Are these coasters handmade?

These coasters are handmade, turned on a lathe and lac-finished by artisans in Channapatna rather than mass-produced. The hand-drawn motifs and small variations between pieces are signs of genuine handwork. No two are exactly alike.

What makes Channapatna coasters different from ordinary painted coasters?

Channapatna coasters are different because the colour is fused into the wood with natural lac and heat, not brushed on as a paint layer that can peel. Most ordinary coasters use surface paint or printing on MDF board. The lacquer technique is non-toxic and eco-friendly too.

Do Channapatna coasters make a good gift?

Channapatna coasters make a good gift because they are light, useful, and carry a recognisable craft story from Karnataka's toy town. They suit housewarmings, festive gifting, and corporate sets. Pair them with tea or a brass cup for a fuller present.

Can I use these coasters for hot cups?

You can use these coasters for hot cups and warm drinks in normal everyday use. They are not trivets, so avoid placing very hot pans straight from the stove on them. Treat them as decorative tableware rather than heatproof mats.

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