Sankheda, located on the banks of the Orsang River, 55 km from Vadodara is renowned worldwide for its finely polished lacquer work and hand-crafted furniture. It is an excellent example of woodworking, woodturning, lacquerware and hand-painting on wood. An artisan community called Kharadi Suthars make this furniture. They use hand-held tools, lathes, and simple machinery to do so. The tradition of making hand-painted furniture in Sankheda dates back to the mid-1800s. Sankheda furniture is colourful teak wood furniture of Gujarat, India, treated with lacquer and painted in traditional bright shades of maroon and gold.

Heavily embellished Sankheda furniture is a common feature of most Gujarati households far and wide. The vibrant, colorful pieces are designed by craftsmen from the Kharadi community of Gujarat. To create each piece, teakwood is fashioned using a lathe and chiseled into its desired form. A natural resin is used that is obtained from a secretion from tiny insects found on lac trees. Floral and geometrical patterns are painted on the wood and an agate stone is used to furnish it. You’ll find some exquisite center tables, sofa sets, swings, dining tables, cradles and doors crafted using this technique.