Finding Vernacular Furniture from India

The team reached out to their relatives, friends, colleagues for the primary set of contacts, which further led to the secondary and tertiary set of contacts in the regions.

Based on the connections developed, the team conducted pre-fieldwork research to plan out each itinerary before setting out on the field.

Mapping process was done to locate, identify and record the furniture using real time based geospatial tool developed by DICRC.

On-field interviews with the owners and local people were conducted for mapping out the furniture.

A photographic survey, form-based inventory and interviews were fed in the tool along with the latitude and longitude of the furniture which is represented on the digital map.

A number of recording tools and methods were used, mainly field notes, recording furniture, context, people and details through photographs, videos and interviews while conducting the field research.

Oral histories and stories related to the making of furniture, memories and belonging, associated traditions and customs narrated by the people were recorded in either audio or video formats.

Detailed sets of questions were asked on field to the people to understand their lifestyle and their association with the furniture.

The contextual study, social hierarchies in diverse communities, gender aspects, were studied using an anthropological approach.

Visual documentation: The initial step involves photo documentation; one set includes overall views and elevation shots. The second set is of the carvings, motifs and details that require a flat shot with least perspective distortion in the photograph.

Measure drawing: it takes place during the field visits and involves preparation of field drawings of the furniture.

These drawings enable all crucial details and measurements to be recorded in lieu of the limited time available in field conditions.

Digital modelling: The field drawings are then translated into a 3D digital model using a software called Rhinoceros (Rhino). This feature aids to make accurate details, curves and shapes as per measured on field.

This model also facilitates isometric and exploded views of the furniture.

Drafting: The 3D models are exported into 2D drawings and thereafter detailed using the software, AutoCAD. It is at this stage that the technical representation of the furniture in the form of plan, section, elevation, isometric view and exploded view is drawn.

These drawings are verified by experts on furniture details and scholars to ensure the most correct details are presented.

Dissemination: The drawings are composed together and can be used for dissemination in various forms; exhibitions, books, portfolios for reference of students, designers and scholars.

The interaction with the vernacular furniture items at The South Asia Collection has been three-fold.

First is to identify furniture on field. The photographs of the vernacular furniture at the South Asia Collection were carried on field for references to initiate conversations on field with the local people about the research and related findings.

The principal researchers of the project got Charles Wallace India Trust scholarships to conduct research on the vernacular furniture collection at the South Asia Collection. Crafts and making were analyzed which was difficult to do on field due to various reasons.

The third and most important aspect is that this research will eventually feed back into the research of the museum pieces.

The team travelled around 62032 kilometers across the north-west region and visited 429 places to record 7886 vernacular furniture in their context using the geospatial tool.

Learn more about how the project was split into phases here.