Studio Mumbai's Handmade Furniture at Maniera Gallery in Brussels.

Brussels design gallery Maniera hosts a new 14-piece furniture and homewares collection by celebrated Indian architecture firm Studio Mumbai. Founded by Bijoy Jain in 2005, the studio has a body of work that references both Indian and Western culture, utilizing both universally known design materials and those that are more specialized and obscure.

Aligned with Studio Mumbai’s worldly approach to design, the collection of chairs, bench, lights, console table, and screen takes inspiration from traditional craftsmanship from across the globe. Materials include glass, brick, stone, and textiles alongside more unusual elements such as cow dung, lime, and Japanese washi paper.

Each piece is constructed entirely by hand with the aid of a few basic tools. Disregarding Jain’s exceptional craft skills and handiwork, the idea is that anyone could make these items without access to expensive or exclusive tools. The collection manages to at once resemble historical artifacts from a simpler time, yet also presents as strikingly contemporary.

A low-set, rough textured armchair is carved entirely from a block of sandstone, while recycled timber chairs are bound together with silk rope. A plywood console features Japanese washi paper panelling, while dyed bamboo forms the frame of two benches.

Despite the name Studio Mumbai, none of the firm’s work is specific to India, rather embracing international influence. Maniera gallery founder Amaryllis Jacobs collaborated on an initial furniture collection with Bijoy Jain in 2015, select pieces of which are part of collections at the Pompidou in Paris; SFMoMa in San Francisco; Lacma in Los Angeles and MAAS here in Sydney.

See other projects by Studio Mumbai on Yellowtrace here.