Golden Noodle lamps
Nomadic traditions infuse design interiors with soul
Turning beeswax and scrap metal into gold
Indian nomads once used local beeswax, river clay, and metal scrap to make whatever villagers commissioned, from kitchen utensils to goddess statues. The Golden Noodle lamps are made the same way, even if the nomads have settled.
This ancient technique is called “dhokra” and working with these artisans was one of the most fascinating adventures in my professional life!
Designing with noodles
Each and every item is constructed first in ‘noodles’ made of beeswax, around a clay core with a surface preparation of a local leaf. The whole is then covered with clay on all sides. A built-in reservoir in the clay contains pieces of old brass. The clay package is fired to make the wax melt and flow away. When the temperature rises, the brass also melts and fills the space left behind by the wax, thus taking the shape of the wax.