I have been flooded with loads of queries about the brassware you often see on my blog ... and so today I decided to take you all with me to my lil' fav. haunt ... and let you peak around the tiny little handicraft store that I find so much fun to go browsing ... on this trip I set my heart on this particular box ... :)
... I have been seeing this beautiful clock for quite some time in a far side of the store ... its origins being from some old Indian palace or Haveli ... you see what I mean ,when I say ...I go peaking into corners ...
... its a small store but Anita ( the owner) ... has an interesting collection ... and I always find myself eyeing something ... love this beautiful bell ... craved on it are different avatars of Goddess Durga ... hmmm ... I was intrigued ...
... brassware from different corners of India can be as different in styles ... as if from two different corners of the world ... this brass box is from tribal areas of Bastar (central India) ...
... and here are two people I love to go and meet ... with their warm smiles ( they are camera shy)... and their absolute down to earth nature ... I go all mush ... when they come up with the next interesting piece ... I can't drive a bargain for nuts and I end up buying more then I intented to ...
... what ever your taste in accesorising your home ... their is bound to be something for you in some corner or some shelf ... and I am definite some abrakophile out their would love this Cheeta in brass ...
... oooH! this deer siting on the floor ... appears to look right at you ... in a lovable sort of way ...
... heres another set of box collection from bastar ... the patina ... of brass is so playable ... shine it up ... pale it down ... darken it with age ... and everyone of them has a different charm ...
... I went all out of focus with this pictre but I had to put it here ... cause some of you wanted to know where I got my Diwali spoon shaped diyas ... well from right here and if you'd be interested in them just contact Anita ( I'll have her details at the bottom of the post) ... she'll ship anywhere in the world ...:)
.... Hmmmm ..........
... these were interesting ... I'm pretty sure plenty out there would love them ... small musical instruments ... well they really are Haldi and Kum-kum holders (used in Hindu prayer rituals) ...
... Umran ... he sure is as passionate about the shop and its treasures as is Anita ... :)
...and according to Umran ... having a lady with a pot, statue ... at home ... is considered lucky ... :) .... 
...ahh! one of my fav's .. the traditional Indian oil lamps ...
... this here looked like another piece with European links ... another auction piece from some old Indian home ... the motifs definitely didn't look of Indian origin ... how interesting ... I love this mish-mash ... its all Indian and some of it is has history beyond India ...
... another piece I loved ... I do think I am getting carried away with the pieces I see ...
... a tribal Indian bullock cart ... and a typical Indian autorikshaw ... any abrakophile ... ooouuuu ... ing ... ;)
... another tribal piece ... I wonder if this is also from bastar or anothr tribal area ... their styles .. definitely distinct ... 
... oh! and this was interesting too ... Umran insists that this is a 200-300 yr old .. Thai piece ... its broken... but I was intrigued to discover, its existence in Navi Mumbai ...
... had it not been for an indulgent pair of sunglasses I picked just the day before ... this elephant was mine ... ;)
... a tortoise box ... from tribal India ...
... Indian wine decanter ... wow... wee... old ... antique ... expensive ... no ... no ... I can't even think about it ...
... this piece at the entrance of the store ... I would love to know more about it ...
... I wonder if you liked some of the pieces ... a lot many of my readers asked me where do you go looking ... well no where particular ... try your local handicraft store ... emporiums ... you'll just get your way going from their ... the Indian brassware is so extensive ... there is so much treaure ... you really must go look ... Hope you enjoyed my lil' haunt for the moment ... and hope it got you into the mood for some more shopping ... do share with me ... your side of the story ... :)
the store details are -
Istika ,Handicraft Shop
33,Bombay Annex C.H.S.,
Sector -17,Vashi,
Navi Mumbai - 400705
Ph. - 022 - 2788 2214
E-mail - umran678@yahoo.co.in
