Chettinad is known for its specialist tile production and cotton spinning - all local cottage industries
First we stopped at a small tile production site. It was an amazing experience. The tiles are made from concrete, with metal oxide to provide the colours. They don't need to be fired and they have a high sheen, smooth surface when finished.
The process starts with a square frame with glass base (to give the final gloss finish). If a repetitive pattern is required to fulfil a large order then a framework/mould is inserted into the square frame and the sections filled with the appropriate colour. (this is fine cement coloured with oxides).
Making the cement mix
Adding oxides to cement to make the coloured sections
Adding coloured cement mix to the appropriate sections in the mould
and then they stay in a water bath for 3 days to cure the cement/concrete
end result
Individual tiles can be decorated free-hand by applying colour/design without the use of a pattern/mould and I had a go at this and made a rather lovely tile (if I do say so myself)!! Sadly I can't wait around here for the tile to be ready otherwise I'd have bought it and framed it - such a masterpiece
Some photos
I thought David was going to photograph me making my masterpiece but he only got a picture of my hand!
Don't you agree, this is a beautiful design and I bet the finished tile will be a work of art!
This is an age-old traditional form of tile-making and we've seen the tiles in situ in some of the mansions in the area. They are very thick - not like the ones we're used to back in the UK.
What's so amazing is that these don't need firing and also the end result is a highly polished surface tile.
We visited another cottage industry site - this time a handloom cotton spinning place. Here the ladies were making fine cotton lengths for saris, shawls, table linen etc.
The owners have vowed to keep the old spinning/weaving methods going and indeed the traditional cotton designs. The two ladies we saw working the looms today have both been doing this work for several decades and don't need to work from patterns - its all done from memory. It looked highly complicated but I guess if its what you do all day, every day then you become an expert in your field. The cotton is coloured using both natural and synthetic colours (the latter being less expensive)
They sit on the floor with their legs/feet in a recess under the floor boards where they're able to control the foot pedals which operate the loom. Their co-ordination is fantastic - feet peddling away and hands working the apparatus which controls the spindles and other bits and bobs
The cotton is very good quality and I did buy a long scarf length (even though I'm not really a scarf person)!
Joshy also wanted to show us a local village temple ... we are pretty much templed out already but we went along for the ride - at least this one was on one level - no stairs to climb and slightly easier to photograph as its on a very small scale compared to recent ones we've visited.
and finally, our packed breakfasts (from the hotel) got put to good use. Joshi gave them to two of the caretakers at the temple who were very happy with them!
First we stopped at a small tile production site. It was an amazing experience. The tiles are made from concrete, with metal oxide to provide the colours. They don't need to be fired and they have a high sheen, smooth surface when finished.
The process starts with a square frame with glass base (to give the final gloss finish). If a repetitive pattern is required to fulfil a large order then a framework/mould is inserted into the square frame and the sections filled with the appropriate colour. (this is fine cement coloured with oxides).
Making the cement mix
Adding oxides to cement to make the coloured sections
Adding coloured cement mix to the appropriate sections in the mould
The master craftsman
Coloured cement all in place
A thin layer of dry cement is sprinkled over this and then the frame is filled to the top with wet cement
The framed tiles are left to dry in the sun for 3+ days
end result
Individual tiles can be decorated free-hand by applying colour/design without the use of a pattern/mould and I had a go at this and made a rather lovely tile (if I do say so myself)!! Sadly I can't wait around here for the tile to be ready otherwise I'd have bought it and framed it - such a masterpiece
Some photos
Don't you agree, this is a beautiful design and I bet the finished tile will be a work of art!
This is an age-old traditional form of tile-making and we've seen the tiles in situ in some of the mansions in the area. They are very thick - not like the ones we're used to back in the UK.
What's so amazing is that these don't need firing and also the end result is a highly polished surface tile.
We visited another cottage industry site - this time a handloom cotton spinning place. Here the ladies were making fine cotton lengths for saris, shawls, table linen etc.
The owners have vowed to keep the old spinning/weaving methods going and indeed the traditional cotton designs. The two ladies we saw working the looms today have both been doing this work for several decades and don't need to work from patterns - its all done from memory. It looked highly complicated but I guess if its what you do all day, every day then you become an expert in your field. The cotton is coloured using both natural and synthetic colours (the latter being less expensive)
They sit on the floor with their legs/feet in a recess under the floor boards where they're able to control the foot pedals which operate the loom. Their co-ordination is fantastic - feet peddling away and hands working the apparatus which controls the spindles and other bits and bobs
The cotton is very good quality and I did buy a long scarf length (even though I'm not really a scarf person)!
Joshy also wanted to show us a local village temple ... we are pretty much templed out already but we went along for the ride - at least this one was on one level - no stairs to climb and slightly easier to photograph as its on a very small scale compared to recent ones we've visited.
and finally, our packed breakfasts (from the hotel) got put to good use. Joshi gave them to two of the caretakers at the temple who were very happy with them!
How fun that you got to make your own tile! Too bad you couldn't take it home with you as it's very lovely.
ReplyDeleteI know you don't have to fire concrete but how do they make the surface so shiny and smooth? I've seen smooth concrete counter tops but it comes with quite a bit of sanding, I think.
You all always find the most beautiful hotels! Sit out on your balcony/terrace for us as we still have quite a bit of snow! The heat would be most welcome!
oh, have to say the temples don't do it for me either!
ReplyDeleteI agree your tile is beautiful Sue, what a shame you couldn't bring it home.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how the surface gets so smooth and shiny Jan. Surprisingly, although smooth they aren't slippery as we've got them in the current hotel (and yesterday's hotel) so I've tested them. They don't sand the surface ... I'll ask my 'technical director' tomorrow if he knows. He's zzzzing at the moment.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your snow ... no danger of that here!
Thanks Di. I'd have liked to take it home and frame it ... never mind! David's already wondering if it would be possible to do something similar as a cottage industry in Whitstable ... would appeal to the DFLs!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan. David said its because the cement is put onto a sheet of glass at the base of the frame that it gets the smooth polished surface. The glass has a smooth polished surface and the cement just reflects the surface its laid onto ... if that makes sense?
ReplyDeletewonderful pics again -- and too bad you could not take the tile with you!
ReplyDelete