One of the things that interests me when it comes to design is when contemporary creations are able to incorporate historically and culturally rich traditions to create something new and magical. If your familiar with the centuries-old Bidri style of metal inlaying from Karnataka, India, its interesting to see how modern designs can breathe new life into this practice while still showcasing its inherent beauty in a fresh, modern context. Designer: Nolwa StudioThe Bidri Collection by Nolwa Studio uses this ancient design tradition and gives it a modern take that is beautifully designed but also highly functional. The bidri style is an eight-step process by skilled artisans where intricate designs are created by inlaying pure silver wire into blackened alloys like zinc, copper, and lead alloy, creating a beautiful contrast. The collection uses this technique for furniture pieces like side tables, mirrors, and lamps. What sets this apart is its thoughtful design and commitment to functionality. These arent museum pieces; theyre designed to be lived with. The clean lines and minimalist forms of the furniture provide a perfect backdrop for the intricate Bidri work to shine. The juxtaposition of the sleek, modern silhouettes with the detailed, traditional craftsmanship creates a visually compelling and undeniably luxurious aesthetic.The Drop Table has a bowl-like base with Bidri patterns etched into the sides and small inlays forming ripples from different points on the concave side. This gives off an underwater rainfall effect with the circular glass top giving a full view of the rounded base. The Monolith meanwhile is a striking multi-cuboid structure, a standing lamp which is a fusion of camouflage, mid-century graphics, and perpendicular art. It doesnt look like a lamp but when the viewer moves around it, theyll eventually discover its true nature, with its use of negative space and various gaps and thicknesses. The Horizon Lamp uses the Bidri technique with its layers of inlay to create a golden, illuminated plane that is encased by a solid dark border with a satin finish. It gives off an ethereal warm light with the layers growing brighter as you get to the bottom. It is a beautiful showcase of ancient techniques brought into the contemporary context and looks like an art piece mounted on your wall. Lastly, we have the Facet Mirror which uses a geometric design to show two equal halves showing balance. The hand-laid striping is used on these golden planes. You get a visual symphony with the interplay of light, shadow, and textures. This also creates a sort of dialogue between tradition and innovation, which is a common theme running through all of the pieces in the Bidri Collection. The post The Bidri Furniture Collection brings a modern take onto an ancient practice first appeared on Yanko Design.