Family Run Since 1974

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Handcrafted Heirloom Furniture

Udaipur in India, also known as the ‘white city’, is home to a magical tumble of temples, palaces, countless rooftop-dwelling monkeys and the workshop which produces our signature inlay furniture. We’ve been commissioning inlay furniture since Jamie and his mum, G&G founder Antonia Graham, first visited the workshops of Udaipur in the 1990s. Today we still work with the same workshop, which employs more than 350 craftspeople, some of them third- or fourth-generation Master Craftsmen working from their own studios in the surrounding villages.

Artisan hand crafts a mother of pearl inlay chest of drawers Artisan hand crafts a mother of pearl inlay chest of drawers
The craftsmanship of our mother-of-pearl and bone inlay furniture
A stylish bedroom nightstand with a white and green inlaid design, featuring two drawers with circular knobs and tapered wooden legs. The nightstand is adorned with a textured terracotta lamp with a straw shade, a small green plant in a ceramic pot, a decA stylish bedroom nightstand with a white and green inlaid design, featuring two drawers with circular knobs and tapered wooden legs. The nightstand is adorned with a textured terracotta lamp with a straw shade, a small green plant in a ceramic pot, a dec
A close-up of a stylish bedside table with a white and green bone inlay pattern, featuring a round, white knob. On top of the table, there is a modern, textured ceramic pot with a lush green Pilea plant, and two amber glass bottles with droppers in the baA close-up of a stylish bedside table with a white and green bone inlay pattern, featuring a round, white knob. On top of the table, there is a modern, textured ceramic pot with a lush green Pilea plant, and two amber glass bottles with droppers in the ba

How is Bone Inlay Made? 

Each of these exquisite, heirloom bone inlay and mother-of-pearl pieces takes weeks of painstaking and highly skilled work. First, a wooden frame is crafted and the pattern design is drawn onto this frame to work out positioning. Then each detail of the inlay pattern – which can be minuscule – is individually carved from mother-of-pearl or bone and sanded into shape. This is the hardest part and requires expert attention-to-detail, particularly when using mother-of-pearl, which is thin and prone to breaking.

 

Once all the inlay pieces are fixed to the frame, coloured resin is pasted around the pattern to form the background. Specially hand-mixed for each piece, the slightest variation in quantities (or even the weather) can result in slight changes to the colour or texture of the resin, making every inlay item subtly unique. Once the resin is dry, the furniture is sanded to make sure the levels and finish are even. The process is repeated and repeated, until finally the inlay pattern begins to emerge in the resin.

What makes Bone Inlay so special?

For us, the beauty of inlay is the flexibility to create completely different patterns on the same furniture designs. We work with talented artisans to create a variety of designs, from traditional inlay patterns found in Rajasthani palaces to more contemporary geometric designs inlaid into boldly coloured resin. Although all designs require the expertise of craftsmen who have passed down techniques through generations, it is often the more contemporary geometric designs that are the most challenging to execute, as expert precision is required for the sharp lines and methodical design.

Featuring a striking geometric floral pattern, the natural bone inlay beautifully complements the vivid jade green setting, making this truly unique piece an heirloom to cherish for years.Featuring a striking geometric floral pattern, the natural bone inlay beautifully complements the vivid jade green setting, making this truly unique piece an heirloom to cherish for years.
Featuring a striking geometric floral pattern, the natural bone inlay beautifully complements the vivid jade green setting, making this truly unique piece an heirloom to cherish for years.Featuring a striking geometric floral pattern, the natural bone inlay beautifully complements the vivid jade green setting, making this truly unique piece an heirloom to cherish for years.
Our Classic Mother of Pearl inlay collection is exquisitely hand crafted in India by a team of skilled artisansOur Classic Mother of Pearl inlay collection is exquisitely hand crafted in India by a team of skilled artisans
Our Classic Mother of Pearl inlay collection is exquisitely hand crafted in India by a team of skilled artisansOur Classic Mother of Pearl inlay collection is exquisitely hand crafted in India by a team of skilled artisans

Styling Bone Inlay at Home

Styling bone inlay furniture at home is all about letting its craftsmanship take centre stage. With its intricate pattern, handcrafted detail and subtle lustre, bone inlay brings depth, texture and character to any room, whether you choose a statement chest of drawers, a bedside table or a decorative side table. Pair bone inlay with natural materials such as linen, rattan and warm wood to create a relaxed, layered look, or contrast it with velvet, brass and rich paint shades for something more dramatic and eclectic. Whether your space feels bohemian, classic or contemporary, bone inlay furniture adds a sense of artistry and individuality that instantly elevates the room.

Bone inlay furniture, and mother of pearl inlay furniture, bring colour, pattern and texture into the home in a way few pieces can. Handcrafted in India by skilled artisans, each design is created by setting individually carved pieces into resin to form intricate patterns full of depth and detail. Bone inlay has a soft, subtle lustre, while mother of pearl catches the light with a natural iridescence that feels quietly luxurious. From crisp white resin to rich green tones, these handcrafted inlay pieces can feel bold and bohemian or elegant and timeless. Beautifully made and full of character, inlay furniture is a celebration of Indian craftsmanship and heirloom design.