We commission hand-carved wood blocks and brass blocks from traditional artisans. Now everyone can experience the wonder of working with these magnificent blocks on textiles, paper, clay, or any other media.
Maiwa's relationship with traditional printing methods on textiles permits an entire community of block carvers to maintain their hereditary craft.
CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM COLLECTIONS!
Choose any combination of animals, geometric shapes, borders, botanical blocks, and repeating patterns and you're ready to print your own custom design.
BRASS BLOCKS
Made by the same block makers who supply traditional artisans in India.
The brass blocks have a ribbon of metal set into a hardwood base. These are traditionally used for line printing – either with pastes, tannins, mordants, or dyes. The brass provides a level of detail not possible with a carved wooden block.
SET OF FOUR
AJRAKH WOOD BLOCKS
Read more about the Ajrakh process in the book Sindh Jo Ajrak by Noorjehan Bilgrami, and the Ahrakh Block Printing Tradition of Kutch.
Set of four interlocking print blocks. These special blocks are designed to create a registered multi-coloured repeating geometric pattern. Each block size is approximately 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4").
This set of wood blocks work together to create a complex four-colour design. Each block is hand-carved from teak hardwood. You can print with it or display it in your home – a masterpiece in itself.
Traditionally used with natural dyes, these blocks will work beautifully with paints & inks on fabric and paper. They are also used by potters to make impressions in clay.
This ajrakh set is made by the Khatri family who live in the Kutch desert of Gujarat, India. The family that has been block printing for over nine generations.
The process of making an ajrakh is a long one, involving between 13 and 20 distinct steps (depending on the colours). The many processes of scouring, washing, printing, dyeing, and final washing can take up to three weeks to complete. Much of the beauty and depth of Ajrakh cloth comes from the intricacy of the imprint that is left by the artisan’s hand.
Block printed cloth is incredible. But where do all those wooden blocks come from? From another entire community: the community of block carvers. Wooden blocks eventually wear out and need to be recut. Maiwa's relationship with traditional printing methods keeps an entire community of block carvers working. We also commission blocks to sell in our stores so that all artisans can experience the wonder of working with wooden blocks
Some blocks are designed by us, but most are designed by the very clever geometric imaginations of the carvers themselves. We've just had a huge order arrive - and they are fantastic!
It is not necessary to print with these blocks to appreciate how beautiful they are. They work as extraordinary objects that will inspire you each time you see them.
To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.
