The Raja Ravi Varma Vanity Table
A vanity shaped by memory and courtly art
A reimagined classic vanity in distressed lacquered teak from an old ancestral home, centred on a Raja Ravi Varma print beneath twin parrots and pavilion arches: heritage art and Colonial-Indic elegance at the dressing table.
Product OverView
Detail, Held with Purpose
The Raja Ravi Varma Table reimagines the classic vanity through heritage art, antique teak and Colonial-Indic elegance. At its heart sits an evocative Raja Ravi Varma print, framed by twin parrots beneath ornate pavilion arches, a visual language rooted in Indian courtly aesthetics.
The wood was sourced from an old ancestral home, so every grain carries a sense of memory and continuity. Finished in distressed lacquer, the teak keeps the warmth and texture of age rather than hiding it.
Part art, part craftsmanship, part nostalgia, the vanity is a functional heirloom for contemporary living that still echoes the romance of another era. It belongs as naturally in a bedroom or dressing room as in a boutique studio or heritage-inspired interior.
Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings shaped how generations pictured Indian women, myths and courtly life. Placing his work at the centre of a vanity makes that legacy part of a daily ritual: each morning’s preparations happen beneath an image from Indian art history, framed by the parrots and arches of a pavilion. As a bespoke piece, it shows how Udhbava rebuilds a familiar form of furniture around a story worth keeping.
Product Details
Design Details
Designed Beneath the Lid
Its considered details reveal themselves as the vanity is opened and used:
- A spacious central compartment for cosmetics and personal treasures
- An elegant mirror-lined lid
- Rich green baize lining, inspired by vintage writing desks and dressing tables
- Two side drawers with ornate brass handles
- Graceful Chippendale-style legs that give the piece a light, refined silhouette
The Ravi Varma print, the parrots and the pavilion arches form the decorative face of the piece; the baize, brass and mirror reward the person who lifts the lid.
Raw Material & Craftsmanship
Ancestral Teak, Lacquered and Distressed
The vanity is made in antique teak taken from an old ancestral home, giving it a provenance no new timber could offer. A distressed lacquer finish brings out the warmth and texture of the aged wood. Brass handles, green baize and a mirrored lid complete a material palette drawn from vintage writing desks and dressing tables.
Story Behind the Creation
From Timber to Tradition
A vanity table that’s more than just furniture—it’s a beautiful blend of art, functionality & timeless design
From the handcrafted details to the spacious storage, every element is thoughtfully designed to bring character, elegance and charm to your space.
✨ Handcrafted Vanity Table
🪞 Functional & Spacious Storage
🎨 Artistic Detailing
🏡 Timeless Home Décor
Make your everyday rituals a little more beautiful.
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.
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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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