Silk-Inlaid Teak Trays – Kanchipuram and Banaras
Where old silk returns to the festive table
Reclaimed Burma teak trays inlaid with vintage Indian silks, Vairoosi Kanchipuram and coloured Banaras, textiles that once belonged to weddings and family trunks, now carrying sweets at Navratri and lamps at Deepavali.
Product OverView
Heritage Need Not Remain Folded Away
Some trays hold what is placed on them. These also hold what came before. Each begins with reclaimed Burma teak, shaped by time and hand, and is inlaid with fragments of vintage Indian silk from celebrations, ceremonies, heirlooms and homes. A sari that may have witnessed a wedding; a fabric that may have rested in a family trunk; a weave that carries colour, memory and quiet pride.
In their new form, the silks return to use. They hold sweets during Navratri, carry lamps during Deepavali, present a wedding trousseau, and become centrepieces for gatherings, offerings and everyday moments that deserve a little more grace.
The trays also extend Udhbava’s invitation to bring what you cherish. An old piece of furniture or a family textile can be repurposed into a tray of your own, so that heritage can be touched, used, shared and remembered again.
Each tray is as much about the textile as the timber. Kanchipuram and Banaras silks carry distinct weaving traditions and palettes, and the tray keeps a fragment of that heritage in daily use rather than in storage. As a gift, it suits weddings, housewarmings and festive exchanges. Commissioned from a family sari, it becomes an heirloom in its own right.
Product Details
Design Details
The Warmth of Teak, the Grace of Silk
Each tray is a frame-and-field composition: a teak border and base enclose a panel of silk, so the textile becomes the surface and the wood its setting. The palette is set by the textile each tray carries. One version is inlaid with Vairoosi Kanchipuram silk, another with coloured Banaras silk, giving each a distinct character against the grain of the teak.
Raw Material & Craftsmanship
Reclaimed Teak, Handwoven Silk
The base material is century-old reclaimed Burma teak, valued for its strength and for the warmth age brings to its grain. Into it go fragments of handwoven Indian silks, including Vairoosi Kanchipuram and Banaras, textiles long kept for ceremonies. Pairing fine wood with handwoven silk turns a working tray into a functional art piece, and when the fabric comes from a client’s own trunk, the making becomes an act of preservation.
Story Behind the Creation
From Timber to Tradition
Some trays hold what is placed on them.
And some hold what came before.
At Udhbava, our large trays begin with reclaimed Burma teak, shaped by time and hand. Into them, we bring fragments of vintage Indian silks — textiles that once belonged to celebrations, ceremonies, heirlooms, and homes.
A sari that may have witnessed a wedding.
A fabric that may have rested in a family trunk.
A weave that carries colour, memory, and quiet pride.
In a new form, these silks return to life.
They hold sweets during Navratri.
They carry lamps during Deepavali.
They become centrepieces for gatherings, offerings, and everyday moments that deserve a little more grace.
Because heritage need not remain folded away.
It can be touched. Used. Shared. Remembered again.
Udhbava’s Large Trays
The warmth of teak.
The grace of silk.
A story made to be lived with.
VISUAL GALLERY
Different Spaces.
One Timeless Creation.
Create with Udhbava
Bring Heritage into Your Everyday
Many Udhbava pieces can be made again with your home, your collection and your story in mind. Where the craft and the material allow, details such as size, wood tone, finish, motif or configuration can be adapted to suit your space.
You can also bring us something you already cherish, such as an heirloom, a family textile or a piece of old furniture, and we will explore what it might become.
Let’s Connect With Us
UDHBAVA CONVERSATIONS
Story Of Prabhavali
Essays on craftsmanship, material culture, traditional Indian aesthetics and the objects we live with. You’ll also find conversations with the clients, collectors, artisans and collaborators who shape the studio’s work.
RELATED BLOGS
Stories Behind the Work
The Minimalist Cafe: A Celebration of Heritage and Traditional Food
October 16, 2026
FAQ’s
Questions, Answered
A few things worth knowing before you choose, commission or gift a piece from Udhbava.
Is every Udhbava piece handmade?
Yes. Every creation is handcrafted with care and attention to detail. Many pieces are made in limited quantities, and some involve artisan-led production, from hand-carving and hand-painting to embroidery and silk inlay.
Why might my piece look slightly different from the photographs?
Because each piece is made by hand, often from old wood, vintage textiles or natural materials, slight variations in colour, texture, finish or appearance are natural. Grain, patina and the marks of the hand are part of the character of an artisan-made object. They are not defects.
What materials do you work with?
The studio works mainly with heritage and natural materials. These include century-old and reclaimed Burma teak, rosewood, tea tree wood and padauk, marble, granite, brass and glass, and vintage Kanchipuram and Banaras silks. For Sutra, the fabrics are linen, hemp linen and handwoven cotton. Each product page lists the materials used for that piece.
Is the piece I see available to order?
As our products are handcrafted and produced in limited quantities, availability may change without prior notice. Some pieces, particularly in Udhbava Reclaimed and the carved tables, are one of a kind. Use Enquire Now on any product page to check current availability.
Can I commission a piece similar to one I see here?
Yes. Select Commission a Similar Piece on the product page and share what you have in mind. Where a piece is one of a kind, such as a reclaimed table or a carved tea tree table, we can discuss creating something in the same spirit. The exact result will depend on the materials available.
Can you work with an heirloom, fabric or piece of furniture I already own?
Often, yes. Bespoke work at Udhbava begins with a simple invitation: bring us what you cherish. An old piece of furniture or a family sari, for instance, can be repurposed into a silk-inlaid tray. Tell us about what you have, and we will discuss what it might become.
Do you take gifting and corporate orders?
Yes. Pieces from Udhbava Gifting, such as our teak and silk coasters, have been made in curated sets for events and selected as corporate gifts for Diwali. Get in touch with the quantity and occasion, and we will discuss what is possible.
How do I place an order?
Our website is a place to explore the work; orders are not placed or paid for online. Select Enquire Now on the piece you love, and we will get in touch to confirm availability, price, shipping charges and payment details. Your order is processed once payment is confirmed.
How long will my order take?
Orders are processed after payment is confirmed. Because many pieces are handmade or made to order, processing times depend on availability, customisation and production schedules. Where applicable, we will share an estimated dispatch timeline during the order process.
Can I return or exchange a piece?
Due to the handcrafted and limited-edition nature of our products, we do not accept returns or exchanges for change of mind, personal preference, or natural variations from the handmade process. If your piece arrives damaged or is not what you ordered, please notify us within 48 hours of delivery. See our Returns & Refunds Policy for details.
Are commissioned or customised pieces returnable?
Customised, personalised, commissioned and made-to-order pieces are non-refundable and non-returnable unless they arrive damaged or incorrect.
RELATED COLLECTION
Works from the
Same World
A curated selection of collectible works united by heritage materials, symbolic forms and thoughtful design.
