Product story
The maker, materials and process behind the finished object.
Object
Four curious hippos are ready for holiday celebrations in this ornament set from Rajesh Gehlot in India. The four ornaments are crafted by hand from wool felt in brown, red, purple and burgundy and feature cords for hanging. They arrive in a sheer polyester storage pouch.
Process
First, we procure wool from Bikaner and Jaisalmer. It undergoes an initial cleaning process where burrs and black wool are removed; it is then fed into a 'bilo' machine to separate out dirt and thorns. Next, it passes through an opener machine—a process known locally as *pindai*—followed by a carding machine that forms the wool into rolls. These rolls are then processed in a hardening machine, where they are beaten for two to three minutes while steam is applied to set the material. Subsequently, the material undergoes milling with the addition of soap; it is beaten for two hours until fully prepared. If coloring is required, four sheets are placed together in a large vessel and boiled for 10 minutes, after which they are dried in a hydro-extraction machine. Finally, the material is cut into pieces— either by machine or by hand—according to the required size and sent for stitching.
Origin
HANDICRAFT RAJASTHAN JAIPUR INDIA
Construction reference
