Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wonders in Wood

His name is Shanmugham and he is popularly known as "Antique Shanmugham". He lives in Coimbatore. He has plenty of "wonders in wood" to show you: Center Tables, Mirror frames,Pillars, Diwans, Wooden Chests, Swings, Sofa sets, Cradles, Cots, Dressing tables, Chest of Drawers, Cupboards, Key Holders, Book shelves. You name he has it or he can create it for you.
Shanmugham's is an interesting story. He initially took up hard ware business. but it sunk. Next he tried his hand at textile marketing but that too collapsed. During one of his business trips to Bangalore he chanced upon an Antique shop & there he discovered a passion that was to change his life forever.

Antique Shanmugham at his factory & workers
Wooden Pillars
Photo Frames for Tanjore painting
Another photo frame
Other creations
Low level Diwan & Mirror Frame
Door Frame
Wooden Pillars
Wooden Chests
Shanmugham has also converted his house into an antique musueum: See pics below:

Entrance Door Gate & Balcony
Side Balcony
Grandfather Clock & Puja(prayer) Corner
Drawing room corner

38 comments:

ashok said...

This is such a useful post for me...will visit him whenever i travel to coimbatore. Thanks RK

eye in the sky said...

It's inspiring everytime I see fondness to something results into something more profitable. And he is very talented. Beautiful works. :)

Saru Singhal said...

He is talented. Loved the chests and the doors. Thanks for sharing!

Lowell said...

I love wood! And I'm so impressed with people that can work in wood. Among these works, I like the chests best!

Dark Knight said...

Those guys are really good at what they do. That's some pretty impressive work! You really have to appreciate the labor that goes into these hand-made products.

Chester Mark B. Tamayo said...

i think the woods have intricate designs. very exotic :) keep on posting!

Raj said...

Loved his works. A very good talent. :)

Ash said...

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this. The wood prayer-place looks amazing. Fabulous creations!

Team G Square said...

Lovely wood work ,Thanks for sharing .

gigihawaii said...

What kind of wood does he use? Does he have a favorite?

R.Ramakrishnan said...

@Gigihawaii: Rose,Teak, Neem, Vengai(tropical timber, very dark in color),Jackfruit anything !Most of the furniture he creates with pieces of old furniture or door panels.For eg. the frame of an easy chair transforms into frames for two huge mirrors.Old ornate door panels form the border for divans & cots, "palagais" (rectangular wooden seats used in South India for sitting on the floor)become slabs for book shelves,& small pieces of no great value transform into stands on which you mount tiny show pieces !

Urmi said...

Tanjore painting, wood carvings and the idols of the God and Goddess are absolutely superb and very minutely all the small work has been done with beautiful design. Very talented and creative person. Thanks for sharing this lovely post.
When I visited Vaishno Devi temple at Jammu 4 years before that time I was waiting for the darshan and when the time came, darshan was just for a minute due to huge crowd but I can still remember that moment which is very very precious and will be memorable for my whole life.

Sandhya said...

The door and pooja room pictures are beautiful! He must be very good in his work!

chitra said...

A nice post. Amazing work by these people.Good pics too.

T. Becque said...

Oh my goodness, what work and character in the man himself!

Maryam Maquillage said...

this is such a terrific post, this man is such a master!!! I love Indian furniture for their immaculate detailing and palpable love put into every piece. I own a beautifully carved Indian mirror and cannot wait to add more pieces to my collection. I'm telling you, I think I must've been Indian in my past life time!!!

Martina said...

So good he has found a way to transform his life and make good business! Lovely house too!

Frieda said...

He is really talented. And what an interesting life...it's great that he finally found something he really likes to do!

Diane AZ said...

Great story, it is wonderful that Shanmugham discovered his talent. He does fine work!

Renu said...

Artist like him are a treasure in our country, we must support them.

Celestial Dreamz said...

wow wonderful ... thank you so much for sharing ...

Irfanuddin said...

Really, he and his team mates are doing amazing work out there....

thanks for sharing it here...!!

JM said...

Great carvings!

Rajesh said...

He has done magic with wood.

Rajesh said...

He has done magic with wood.

magiceye said...

wonderful craftsmanship!

CameraCruise said...

Beautiful wood work, he's so talented!
Thanks for sharing.

ashok said...

Congrats RK! you are my choice for the "versatile blogger" Award...receive it here:-)

http://ashokism.blogspot.com/2011/12/versatile-blogger.html

Rhapsody B. said...

Namaste.....
wow, i wish he was close, i would order 2 wooden chests, a center table and a side table + a mirror. Thank you for sharing blessings to you and yours and also for the crafter.

Shreya said...

Nice pics. Lovely wooden work. :)

Gemel said...

He is so talented, I am glad he found his way.

DUTA said...

Stunning items!
I think indian people are extremely talented, and Shanmugham is just one of them. He has my admiration for his wooden works.

TexWisGirl said...

those are beautiful treasures!

Carver said...

Wonderful collection of beautiful works in wood.

Spiderdama said...

So nice to visit your world and all this great work.
Nice pics too!

Thanks for your visit and comments.
Regards from Norway:-)

Andy said...

Hello.
I'm visiting from Ruby's blog.

This man has so much talent. The detail he can impart into his pieces is truly amazing.
Nice photos & post.
Thanks for sharing.

For ref:
Thoughts Of Beauty In The Stillness Of Dawn

magda said...

Very nice work of art!!!
And your photos are so beautiful!!!
Many greetings my friend

Mridula said...

Once again amazing designs.