Heritage shaped in Metal
Tilfi’s metal art and collectibles celebrate Banaras’s heritage and age-old craftsmanship with a breath of quiet ingenuity. Inspired by the ancient tradition of Banarasi metal repoussé, Tilfi approaches metal with the same philosophy that guides its textiles—pushing craft’s boundaries after mastering the craft. Spanning scales and functions, Tilfi’s metal art encompasses creations that are as artistic as they are purposeful. An extension of this, rooted in Banaras’s memory, Tilfi’s latest collection of small objects merges art with intention, where time-honoured techniques and artistic innovation converge to create pieces that are both timeless and meaningful.
The History of Metal Repoussé
Metal repoussé is one of the oldest craft traditions of Banaras, predating even its handlooms. One of the most revered artforms of the city, it involves hammering sheets of metal from the reverse to raise patterns in relief. Historically seen in temple décor and ritual objects, it featured mythological figurines, architectural elements such as temples, and dense flora and fauna, embodying both artistic mastery and cultural storytelling.
Tilfi’s Metal Art and Collectibles
Where traditional metal work often focused on ritual, ceremonial, or decorative motifs, Tilfi extends this vocabulary to create objects that are both refined and functional. Drawing from the rich heritage of Banarasi looms, metal seems to bend, fold, and ripple in ways traditionally reserved for textiles. An ode to Banaras in both form and philosophy, each piece draws from textile motifs or mythology. From wall art inspired by Kalidasa’sMeghdootam toCharan rooted in Banaras’s mythology, Tilfi draws from the past and translates metal into purposeful pieces of exquisite artistry, while pieces such as theDevangana repoussé sculpture andGilded Drape console table echo Banarasi weaving in metal, replicating its sinuous folds and intricate boota detailing.
Tilfi’s latest curation extends this repertoire to a series of small objects inspired by the iconic Shikargah artform. The collection stills the wild in metal, where tigers, deer, birds, and foliage unfurl across coaster sets, trinket trays, platters, wine bottle holders, and candle stands. Mythic hunt scenes meet the modern table, transcending ornamentation in a thoughtful play of form and function. Undulating planes recall the terrain of the wild, while flatter surfaces lend themselves to utility. These creations live at the confluence of art, craft, and design—singular objects of beauty and purpose, marked by Tilfi’s sensibility of inheritance and reinvention.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTION
