Shibani Jain, Founder & CEO- Baaya Design, was always inspired by the resplendent marble inlay work on the walls of the Taj Mahal. She and her team of designers took on the challenge to bring the rich colours seen in the inlay work, into a totally different and equally rich craft- that of copper enamelling. Earlier, the enamelling process was seen in minute work, in jewellery. We decided to try and use a similar process to create a range of copper wall plates and lamps. This was also Baaya’s attempt to revive a fading craft form native to Alibaug, in Maharashtra. The craft was brought into the place by a Spanish artist named Andreu VilasÃs.
The artisan follows a comprehensive process using glass powder colours and copper wire. This is a painstaking process and is a true test of the dexterity of our artisans. Circular plates or bowls are created on a dye to a precise depth. The wire work is fastened through an initial process called flux work. The base wire work is created in such a way as to support the intricate floral motif work. The wire work is pre- cut to create the motifs. On a stencil. These completed designs are then placed and adhered to the copper surface by firing the entire piece at a temperature of 850 °C (1,560 °F). This is a tricky process as the wired designs tend to move until completely adhered. Once cooled, coloured glass powder is applied to the surface using a paint brush and the whole piece is re- fired to create the final enamelled piece. It is cleaned with an acidic solution and then biffed. The final pieces show off the rich glass enamel colours and motifs.
Mrs. Shibani Jain, who is a hands-on designer, gets a thrill at the thought of visiting workshops and getting involved in the actual conception of the product. Her keen eye for detail is what has sustained Baaya over the years and made it a treasured name in the interior design and crafts industry. Baaya is the first organization of its kind to truly work with grassroot artisans to uplift and sustain their livelihoods by generating a market for their skill.
She forms a bond with each artisan, getting superlative results out of them. In the process, she helps them reach their potential through challenging design projects. She is not one to settle for half finished products and expects the finest end product. The culmination of these efforts shines through in all aspects of the Baaya brand. You will be mesmerised by the complexity of the copper enamel and other ranges created by Baaya and Ms. Shibani Jain. The fluidity of thought is clear in each curve of copper wire and each bend of the flowers as they cautiously cling to the curved inner surface of the lamps
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