The Inscribed Stone Tray Table
One whispers: script and stone in old wood
Aged dark wood with a deeply weathered surface frames an inset stone tablet engraved with script-like symbols, turning a rural North Indian tray into a centre or corner table with the gravity of an excavated artefact.
Product OverView
An Object That Invites Interpretation
Restrained, architectural and mysterious, this is the quieter of two reclaimed tray tables from rural North India. Where its painted companion celebrates, this one whispers of silence, memory, script and forgotten histories.
Reimagined by Udhbava as a centre or corner table, it becomes an object of intrigue, one that invites interpretation, memory and conversation, and carries the hand of the artisan and the passage of time into a contemporary interior.
Its quiet character suits spaces given to reflection: a study, a reading corner, a meditation room or a gallery-like living space. The tablet’s symbols are left open to interpretation, so each viewer brings their own reading to the piece. Beside the Folk-Painted Tray Table or on its own, it shows the contemplative side of Udhbava Reclaimed, where an object’s history matters as much as its form.
Product Details
Design Details
A Tablet at the Centre
The composition is anchored by an inset stone tablet engraved with script-like symbols. It evokes an ancient votive tablet, a temple marker, a mercantile seal or a ritual yantric element; whether literal script or symbolic calligraphy, it gives the piece a contemplative, almost archaeological quality. Around it, radial grain and time-worn abrasions in the dark wood frame the tablet like a setting.
Raw Material & Craftsmanship
Weathered Wood and Engraved Stone
The tray is made of aged dark wood with a deeply weathered surface, its radial grain and abrasions left visible. Set into it is an engraved stone tablet; the contrast of cool stone and worn timber gives the piece the gravitas of an excavated artefact rather than merely furniture.
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.
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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.
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