CK Thomas & Sons
Design - Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
CK Thomas & Sons Employees
CK Thomas & Sons Details
For three generations CK Thomas has offered distinctly unique and high quality handmade decorative products beginning with handmade Indian laces for the European and Australian markets. Founded to provide artisans a source of income and support in a time, culture and market that is not readily available to them, CK Thomas continues a legacy of revitalizing some of the finest global craftsmanship. We do this by designing pieces that combine ancient craftsmanship and modern design. We call this "modcient design". A large portion of profits go directly back to the craftspeople. In doing so we aim to make the craft more lucrative for the local population and drive more individuals to learn the craft and preserve it for future generations.In the current environment craftsmen in India, Morocco, Malaysia, Thailand etc. are facing steep competition from mass manufacturers. The mass manufacturers drive these craftsmen and the apprentices to seek other forms of income which means that these crafts are being lost to industrialization. What is observed is to an increasing degree is a loss of some of the most beautiful and ancient craftsmanship. For example carpet patterns that were passed down from generation to generation in the form or "chants" (i.e these patterns are memorized then verbalized during the weaving process. There are no patterns that are written down) are being lost to computerized creations and mass manufacturers. This is resulting in entire patterns, and centuries of history being lost in a matter of a few years. In response to mass manufacturing driving the Thathera brass artisans of Northern India to seek other forms of income, we present the INDIRA Collection, created only with the specific skills and tools of the Thathera tradition to bring their art form to purveyors of bespoke luxury furniture and lighting.
