A piece of Master Weaver Siju Shamni Vankar's pieces is a piece of extreme beauty.  Merchant Campbell is extremely proud to offer a selection of these sublime pieces.

We were honoured to visit Vankar Vishram Valji, his wife and his son Shamji at their home and studio in Bhujodi recently where we purchased several pieces for the shop. Each artisan works for hours, months and even years on each piece, reflecting their dedication, passion and expertise and producing pieces of absolute beauty, appreciated by textile lovers and collectors throughout the world.  This has justifiably provided them fame across the world for their work.

Siju Shamji Vishram carries on the legacy of his father, Vankar Vishram Valji who received India’s National Award in 1974 for his exemplary work in Dhabla weaving. The family has since received many national and international awards over the years for their work with traditional loom weaving and dyeing and the preservation of traditional and environmentally sustainable techniques.  Shamji oversees Vankar Vishram Valji Weaving, a multigenerational craft initiative for weaving and dyeing of fabrics. Over the past 20 years, he has transformed the venture into a prosperous business with clients in India and abroad.

Being an ancestral business, the family is connected with more than 60 families in the village Bhujodi, in rural Kutch Gujurat state, which is famous for its textiles, manual handlooms, handcrafted fabric products and embroidery. Initially, the Vankars used to work with the outcast casts Rabaris for the supply of wool to turn it into the fabric. Later, the members of the Khatris cast used to dye the wool in shades of blue, red or yellow and adorn it with beautiful prints. From a small enterprise to a prosperous business, Shamji has worked hard for the progress. 

Shamji’s and his family's lives as weavers and and his, in particular as an entrepreneur, has brought recognition as master craftsmen and the UNESCO Seal of Excellence. Shamji is also an author sharing the stories of his family, Bhujodi village and the traditional and generational Indian traditions of handloom weaving.  

As well as weaving and dyeing, Shamji, his father and brothers have participated in exhibitions throughout India and have also taught at design schools, art galleries and at institutions in the USA and Europe.  Siju Shamji Vishram recently held a masterclass in loom weaving at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. He shared his expertise in a series of masterclasses on the spinning, weaving and dyeing processes he uses to create beautiful scarves, stoles, carpets and more. 

Product description:

• dimensions:  90 x 240cm
• made from 100% undyed natural and dyed wool
• dyed wool coloured using 100% natural products
• hand spun and hand loomed in Gujurat by master weavers
• Please note: Deshi wool is the wool from the local sheep in Gujurat.  As such, it is not as fine as merino wool and is coarser against the skin
• Dry clean only