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Vintage Collectibles and Eclectic Home Decor

14/09/2026

Ganesha, across time.

A selection of Ganesha artefacts from our collection, bringing together old and new, from different regions, materials and traditions.

Some carry the marks of age and use. Others are contemporary creations by craftsmen, rooted in traditional forms and techniques.

As Ganesh Chaturthi brings Ganesha into homes and public spaces across India, these objects offer another way of looking at his enduring presence through craft, devotion and cultural memory.

09/06/2026

Not every antique collectible has to be grand.

Sometimes it's a simple illustration of a wildflower that someone stopped to observe over a century ago.

These original botanical prints come from Familiar Wild Flowers by F. Edward Hulme, published in the late 19th and early 20th century. Hawthorn, Periwinkle, Sweet Violet, Wood Sorrel, Bush Vetch, Meadow Crane's-bill, Touch-me-not and others—plants that lined country paths, hedgerows and woodlands, carefully documented at a time when natural history was as much about wonder as it was about science.

What we love about them is their quietness. They were never intended as luxury objects. They were made to help ordinary people identify and appreciate the plants around them. More than 120 years later, they still do exactly that.

Each print is original, professionally mounted, and now available on our website.

Sometimes history isn't found in palaces or museums. Sometimes it's pressed between the pages of an old book, waiting to be noticed again.

25/04/2026

Ravi Varma oleographs changed how India experienced art by bringing mythology into everyday homes through print.

But what exactly are oleographs ? And how do you identify an original ?

Swipe to understand →

02/04/2026

On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, we find ourselves revisiting a figure who has travelled through centuries of Indian visual culture, Hanuman. Few characters from the Ramayana have inspired artists, craftsmen and printers across India in quite the same way.

Across regions and artistic traditions, Hanuman has been imagined and reimagined in fascinating ways. In some works he appears in dramatic motion, recalling the famous episode of carrying the Sanjeevani mountain. In others he is shown in quiet devotion before Rama, a visual theme that became central to devotional imagery across the subcontinent.

What makes these objects especially compelling today is not just the mythology they represent, but the artistic language they carry. Each artefact reflects the materials, techniques and aesthetic sensibilities of its time. Whether expressed through painting, printmaking or sculpture, they reveal how generations of artisans interpreted a shared cultural story.

At The Blue Trunk, we often look at such pieces beyond their devotional context. They are equally important as cultural artefacts that document the evolution of Indian art, craftsmanship and visual storytelling.

Sharing a few Hanuman themed pieces from our collection today, each one offering its own glimpse into this long and fascinating artistic tradition.

10/02/2026

: : Vintage Chariot Panel - Lord Rama : :
Dimensions of Panel: 13.5 in(H) x 8 in(L)
Andhra Pradesh
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A vintage wooden temple chariot panel, likely depicting Lord Rama holding his bow, crowned and adorned in elaborate jewellery, framed by a sacred prabhavali. Once part of a South Indian ratha used during temple processions, such carvings were designed to be bold and legible from a distance — celebrating Rama as the embodiment of dharma and divine kingship.

The softened detailing and natural patina speak to years of ritual use and outdoor exposure, carrying with them the quiet dignity of lived devotion.
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04/02/2026

: : Vintage Camphor Aarti Lamp : :
Dimensions : 8 in(H) x 9 in(L)
Andhra Pradesh
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This vintage circular camphor aarti lamp is a traditional Indian devotional object, crafted for ritual use during temple and household worship. Designed with seven raised wick holders, the lamp was originally used for burning camphor as part of aarti ceremonies, where light is offered as a symbol of purification, protection, and divine presence.

Multi-wick lamps such as this hold special significance in Indian tradition, as the radiance of multiple flames represents the triumph of light over darkness and is believed to invoke auspicious energy within sacred spaces.

The piece features an elegant symmetrical form and finely worked detailing, reflecting the enduring craftsmanship of vintage Indian metalware. While deeply rooted in ritual practice, it also functions beautifully today as an antique-style candle holder or a distinctive display object.

A meaningful addition for collectors and interiors seeking authentic Indian antiques, traditional artefacts, and devotional vintage décor.
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26/01/2026

: : Vintage Chariot Panel - Vishnu and Garuda : :
Dimensions of Panel: 14 in(H) x 7 in(L)
Telengana
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This vintage wooden chariot panel depicts Lord Vishnu seated on Garuda, his celestial mount, rendered in a composition traditionally associated with South Indian temple architecture and festival processional art. The panel originates from an old temple chariot (ratha), structures used to carry resident deities during annual temple festivals and ceremonial processions.

The carving presents Vishnu in a formal, frontal posture, with Garuda shown in a dynamic supporting stance, emphasizing movement and devotion. Such imagery symbolises Vishnu’s role as the preserver of cosmic order and Garuda’s function as both vehicle and devoted attendant. Panels of this kind were designed to be read from a distance during processions, resulting in bold forms, clear iconographic attributes, and rhythmic carving rather than excessive surface refinement.

The surface of the panel displays age-related wear, softened detailing, and a natural patina, consistent with prolonged outdoor use, ritual handling, and exposure over time. These characteristics are intrinsic to authentic temple chariot fragments and provide material evidence of the object’s original function.
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23/01/2026

: : Vintage Ravi Varma Chromolithograph Nataraja : :
15 inches x 11 inches frame
Tamil Nadu
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This rare vintage Ravi Varma chromolithograph of Nataraj captures one of the most iconic depictions of Shiva — the cosmic dancer in motion, balancing creation and destruction with effortless grace. Even after a century, the artwork holds an energy that feels alive, with the classic Ravi Varma detailing that makes his devotional prints so universally loved.

Printed in the early 20th century, this oleograph has the gentle softness and colour tonality typical of original period chromolithographs. The ageing is natural and reassuring — the kind that tells you the piece has been preserved with care, without losing its character or depth.

The artwork comes in its original wooden frame, which adds to its charm and authenticity. The frame shows expected signs of age but remains strong and true to its time, offering the artwork the dignity of being seen just as it would have been displayed generations ago.
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