Originally oil on canvas.

via passt die weisheit wohl zu ninotschkas sonntagsbild? >klick<

With its cheerful stripes of purple, pink and orange, beige, MAUA is a handwoven doormat made from local Kenyan sisal. Throw yours down in your entrance hallway or in front of the fireplace to bring instant texture and a warm welcome to your space. Wherever and however you choose to use your new woven mat, it is sure to bring a pop of colour and Kenyan craft to the home.  Weaving is a traditional craft that connects generations in Kenya, passed from grandmothers to mothers to daughters all over the country. The Basket Room partners with a network of twelve Kenyan weaving groups - with over thirty weavers in each group – to produce these beautiful woven doormats. Weaving is work that dovetails seamlessly with weavers’ other domestic chores, childcare and farming. In producing these woven doormats, the women in this craft group are empowered to support their families with a dependable additional income – and work that is fair, creative, sociable and flexible. Please note that these woven doormats are decorative items and will not withstand heavy wear.   Material:  SISAL & BRANDED LEATHER TAB Dimensions (approx): 71cm L x 40cm W / 28" Dia x 16" H Please note, as this is a handmade product, dimensions & colour may vary from those shown in the photographs. HANDMADE IN KENYA

Burkina Faso is by no means an area frequented by tourists, but at the base of a hill overlooking the surrounding sun-drenched West African savannah lies an extraordinary village, a circular 1.2 hectare complex of intricately embellished earthen architecture. It is the residence of the chief, the ro

Ghadames has a harsh climate, but the architecture and settlement pattern of the old city are designed to handle summer's heat and winter's cold. The houses are built of local mud brick, limestone, palm wood and lime, with thick walls, which retain heat in the winter and keep the interiors cool in the summer. The roofs of the houses are interconnected, and many of the streets are covered, allowing for increased shade, privacy, and security. During the day, only men are allowed in the streets, while the women can move about freely among the rooftops. The houses are planned so that private spaces remain just that; a stray glance into a doorway will not compromise the privacy of the family. Today the oasis survives on farming and tourism. The farms are integrated with the houses at the oasis, and form a cohesive unit of agriculture and settlement. The plots of land are divided by walls and narrow lanes. The water used in irrigation flows in channels along the center of the lanes or the tops of the walls. © Eric Lafforgue www.ericlafforgue.com

Sudan - the black pharaohs. Graveyard and Qubbas (Old Dongola). © Walter Callens

Introducing the TOFAUTI duo colour block baskets, designed by Holly and Camilla for SS23 and boasting a rim of baby blue over a base of tranquil blue. These handy, ethically-produced baskets come in three sizes, offering scope for all manner of home storage needs: pop one on your desk, on bedside tables and shelves; use yours in the bathroom, the kitchen or on the dining room table, filled with fruit, bread or dried flowers. These baskets also make excellent woven planters, and gorgeous new home gifts.  Basket weaving within a group enables women to support their families with a flexible second income in the dry seasons, where farming alone becomes unsustainable. We have partnered with this rural Kenyan weaving group for several years now and we spend time with these women in person as often as we can. It is vital to us to constantly strengthen the connection between maker and buyer, sharing their stories and flying the flag for handmade crafts.  These artisans are highly experienced in conjuring an array of bold colours through meticulous hand dyeing, and their careful weaving work is equally impressive.  All of these women have woven from a young age – having been taught this traditional African craft by female elders in their families and communities. With your support, these women will continue to pass this precious legacy on to future generations to benefit from.    Material:  SISAL & BRANDED LEATHER TAB Dimensions (approx):  XSmall: 14.5-16cm DIA x 9.5-11cm H Small: 19-21cm DIA x 14.5-16cm H Medium: 24-27cm DIA x 19-21cm H