CALAISIO RATTAN TRAYS

These attractive trays are hand made by artisans from remote villages in the South Pacific.  The vines used to construct them, called vignes d’eau, or water vines, only grow in remote mountain jungles which are difficult to reach.  Harvesting the vines is a challenge, but once reaped they grow back quickly without damaging the native forests. 

Water vines are barely one fourth as thick as typical rattan.  While it takes more time to hand weave these thin strands, from one to seven days for an individual item, the resulting objects are substantially more durable, heat resistant and elegant.  And the earnings from weaving help lift the villagers from subsistence living and provide them with better food, health care and transportation.

Each tray is accompanied by a glass insert (these were sometimes removed below to avoid reflections in the photographs).  Inserts make the trays more versatile and easier to clean.