Handmade pieces with roots in Asia and Africa.
Our Story
Naturally Crafted brings together handmade art, antiques and textiles rooted in the traditions of Asia and Africa. Each piece has its own history — some newly made by artisans and weavers we work with directly, others acquired from collectors along the way. No two pieces are ever the same.
Recently Added
Date: Circa 20th century
Geography: Ethiopia
Dimensions: 29cm H x 9cm W x 4.5cm D
Weight: 504g
Material: Brass alloy
Condition: Good antique condition, consistent with age; natural surface wear and dark patina throughout
This striking hand cross exemplifies the distinctive metalworking tradition of Ethiopian Orthodox ecclesiastical art. Cast in solid brass alloy, the piece features an intricately pierced cross set within an elaborate openwork halo of interlocking circular motifs, flanked by stylised bird or wing shapes around the outer perimeter, guarding the sacred symbol and carrying the prayers of the faithful upward. Around the top of the cross, a Solomonic interlace pattern forms a decorative knot, a motif deeply rooted in Ethiopian visual culture and said to symbolise eternity and the interconnectedness of faith. The cross is mounted on a tapering hollow cast handle, designed to be held during liturgical processions or blessings, or displayed upright as a devotional object. The rich, even patina across the surface speaks to genuine age and handling over time.
Hand crosses of this type hold deep significance within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the oldest Christian institutions in the world, tracing its roots to the 4th century AD. Known in Ge'ez as mäsqäl, these crosses are carried by priests and deacons during religious ceremonies, used to bless worshippers, and often kissed by the faithful as a gesture of devotion. Each cross is traditionally cast using the lost-wax method by skilled craftsmen, with designs passed down through generations and regional workshops, particularly around Gondar and Lalibela, developing their own distinctive decorative vocabularies. The combination of cross, halo, and interlace seen in this piece reflects a long-standing artistic language blending Christian iconography with pre-existing Ethiopian design traditions.
As with all our handcrafted and antique pieces, this cross is a genuine one of a kind item, and natural variations in patina, casting texture, and minor surface imperfections should be expected as part of its authentic character and history. Dimensions and weight are approximate.
Ganesha has become one of the commonest associations with Hinduism. This not only suggests the importance of Ganesha, but also shows how popular this deity is in the minds of the masses. The Lord of Success. The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha has an elephant like appearance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.
Hand carved in the city of Mysore, Karnataka, India. "Shivani wood" most commonly refers to a type of wood used in traditional Indian wood carvings, although it could also refer to the 20th-century Hindi writer Shivani or the spiritual leader Sister Shivani. The wood carving tradition is known for creating intricate religious and folk art from local woods, particularly those that offer good detail, such as Shivani Teak Wood.
Date: Early 21st century
Geography: India
Dimensions: 48cm H x 31cm W x 20cm D
Weight: 4.444kg
Material: Wood
Condition: new - see photos
www.naturallycrafted.co.uk/blog/lord-ganesha-the-elephant-headed-hindu-god
Kashmiri wool shawl with silk embroidery
Handmade in Kashmir from 100% pure wool supporting a small cottage industry of Kashmiri weavers.
Produced by individual artisans from traditional and contemporary designs, made with quality wool from Gaddi sheep which are grazed on the slopes and valleys of the Himalayan mountains, these conditions make the wool fine and soft. The embroidery on the shawls is known as Sozni work, using vibrant silks to create the patterns on the shawls.
These Shawls are handmade and are individual which is reflected in the work.
At Naturally Crafted, our shawls and stoles are woven on hand looms by artisans whose techniques have been passed down through generations.
Condition: New
Geography: Kashmir, India
Approximate Dimensions: 200cm L x 110cm W
Weight: 210g
Material: Wool
Dry clean recommended
This is a handcrafted item and due to its handmade nature, each piece is unique and may feature minor variations and imperfections that distinguish it from machine made products.
For more information
Hand-carved in Uttar Pradesh, India, these puzzle boxes are made from solid Sheesham wood, also known as North Indian rosewood. Each box features an animal design and functions as an interlocking wooden puzzle.
To open the box, you must slide and unlock the individual fitted wooden pieces in a specific sequence. Inside lies a small, hidden compartment designed for storing small keepsakes, jewelry, or coins. Because every box is entirely handmade by local artisans, natural variations in the wood grain, colour tone, and precise dimensions make each piece unique.
Elephant
Date: New
Geography: India
Dimensions 12cm L x 11cm W x 4cm D
Weight: 270 g
Material: wood
Condition: Handmade
Butterfly
Date: New
Geography: India
Dimensions 9cm L x 12cm W x 5cm D
Weight: 194 g
Material: wood
Condition: Handmade
Cat 1
Date: New
Geography: India
Dimensions 14cm L x 10cm W x 5cm D
Weight: 332 g
Material: wood
Condition: Handmade
Cat 2
Date: New
Geography: India
Dimensions 10cm L x 13cm W x 5cm D
Weight: 261 g
Material: wood
Condition: Handmade
Cat 3
Date: New
Geography: India
Dimensions 13cm L x 10cm W x 5cm D
Weight: 311 g
Material: wood
Condition: Handmade
Turtle
Date: New
Geography: India
Dimensions 9cm L x 13cm W x 5cm D
Weight: 332 g
Material: wood
Condition: Handmade
The traditional art of hand-weaving
Naturally Crafted has a small collection of handwoven textiles from across Asia showing the skill of traditional weaving. Our selection features pieces crafted from premium wool, cotton, and silk, with some shawls being hand-dyed using natural pigments. Using ancient techniques on traditional wooden looms, often working with hand spun yarns, weavers create intricate designs that have been passed down through generations. This preservation of ancient craftsmanship results in textiles that have cultural significance to a specific country, region, or village. Naturally Crafted has a limited selection of unique, bespoke shawls, some of which are sourced from remote villages, and communities.
The birth of a deity
Hindu and Buddhist deities are beautifully sculptured and hold deep spiritual significance. Crafted from a range of materials, most commonly wood and metals like bronze and brass, these objects are more than just art, they are a focal point for devotion.
Used in rituals with altars for prayer, the deities embody specific powers. For instance, in Buddhism, practitioners pray to Green Tara for guidance and protection. In Hinduism, Ganesh is celebrated as the "Remover of Obstacles" and is prayed to for new beginnings, wisdom, and success. These sculptures are cherished as both objects of beauty and powerful spiritual conduits.
The craft of wood carving
Wood carving remains part of daily life and craft traditions across Asia and Africa today. Artisans use hand tools and techniques passed down through generations to create household objects, figures, incense holders and decorative pieces, often working with locally available woods. Every piece in our New Handmade collection reflects the materials, methods and cultural traditions of the person who made it — bought new, and made to be used.
Journal
The stories behind the objects.
17th September 2026
28th September 2025
2nd January 2026
Antiques, artefacts and tribal art
Our antique and tribal artefacts were made for domestic and religious use, crafted from durable materials such as wood and metal. The African pieces reflect local traditions, belief systems and social status, while the tribal collection includes masks and carvings from a range of ethnic groups. Many originate from remote villages and communities, though not always acquired directly — some come to us through collectors and auctions along the way.
A Care Guide for Naturally Crafted Products
Caring for handmade items is a bit like tending a garden; it requires a gentle touch and a little consistency. Because these pieces lack the industrial coatings of mass-produced goods, they are more sensitive to their environment.
Here is a guide to keeping your treasures in a good condition.
Natural materials "breathe" and react to humidity and oxygen.
Every order we plant a tree
Naturally Crafted has partnered with JUST ONE Tree, as we are conscious that some of our items have had a long journey to get to you. Where we can, we prefer to use sea freight; however, this isn’t possible in all cases. Consequently, we occasionally rely on air freight. We acknowledge the carbon impact this creates, so we have partnered with JUST ONE Tree to help plant trees and regenerate nature.
JUST ONE Tree is an award-winning non profit dedicated to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reversing biodiversity loss through global reforestation. The initiative empowers individuals, schools, and businesses to take direct, collective action against the climate crisis. Their model is simple, every single £1 donated plants one tree.
Yet, their impact is complex and far reaching. They focus on restoring ecosystems on land and in the oceans, funding projects in countries like Kenya, Madagascar, Nepal, and Brazil. Their support has created sustainable livelihoods for local communities, where people have been hired and trained to plant trees. Famous for their "JUST ONE Tree Day," they unite thousands of schools internationally. By combining terrestrial reforestation with kelp forest regeneration, they tackle climate change from every angle, proving that when we come together, small individual contributions can collectively create a massive, enduring environmental impact.
Find out more with the link below
