Woven Mat

FJ Hakimian’s collection Woven Heritage offers sophisticated hand-woven mats in custom sizes in a variety of sustainable, heritage plant-fibers and patterns. Materials such as of palmas de iraka, ramie and southern cattail have been used in the basketry traditions of Africa, Southeast Asian and South America for millennia. This collection offers an assortment of elegant woven designs that are perfectly in harmony with contemporary design modes both modern and traditional.

For the collection, FJ Hakimian works with Amazonian artisans who both preserve their precious local traditions and create new designs that are masterpieces of simplicity. The woven patterns are perfect for the relaxed sophistication of today’s interiors. Easy to use in urban, seaside and country interiors, they add a gorgeous layer of texture and a soothing natural element.

Not only are these mats soft to the touch and a delight to the eye, there is something elementally satisfying about them, and it is no wonder. This type of weaving is an old as culture itself, from the Biblical story of the infant Moses being found in a papyrus basket in the reeds of the Nile to the baskets found in Egyptian tombs. Older than pottery and even cloth weaving, plant-fiber baskets and mats have been used for the gathering, preparing and storing of food, for sleeping, in spiritual ceremonies and as funerary offerings. Houses have been built with basketwork, and they have been essential in trade and travel.

The Woven Heritage collection includes a number of techniques and materials. Marsh plants, shoots, roots, sisal, nettle, banana straw, cotton, suede and leather, all harvested and gathered using the highest ethical standards, are woven, twisted, coiled, sewn and wrapped to make these wonderful, graceful designs that are both ancient and modern. The juxtaposition of fibers is often striking, for example in the combinations of banana straw and leather suede or cattail and cotton. Basketry is the ultimate sustainable art form. Made from materials that are abundant and easily replenished, baskets become more beautiful over time and are meant to be used until they are recycled back to the earth, having left no negative environmental impact. 

Read more: our blog "Woven Heritage" & "Amazonian Inspirations: Natural Plant Fiber Mats"