Inspired by the philosophy of aesthetics, Coppre handcrafts copper products that combine functionality with ornamentation. Started by Rashmi Ranade and Co-founders Chhanda Bihari, Sudakshina Sinha Banerjee and Seemantini Mihir, the brand was born out of the love for the material. The focus was also on the artisans who could skilfully beat the material into shapes, India’s heritage, the belief that this heritage could be re-interpreted for a modern-day relevance and the belief of the potential of taking these aspects to a customer appreciating identity-based high quality handcrafted wares.
Coppre deals in décor, utility and wellness items that stand for traditional values fused to a contemporary international design language. Water Bearers, Tea-Light Holders, Flower-Floater series, Retro-Boxes in copper, brass and bidri. The tableware series comprises mule mugs, cake stands, finger food platters and dip bowls buntings and ritual range are some of the best-selling products.
The products are designed in-house, starting from product planning to concept and production. Innovative techniques and tools are developed with each new design. Setting crafting norms for designs is a time-consuming process; with both artisans and the development team contributing equally to make sure that the product emerges true in spirit and form to the original concept.
Initially the inspirations were directly from copper crafting traditions of Maharashtra. Subsequent research into mathaar-kaam (beating patterns) has resulted in each copper artisan working with a signature beating style. Adequate attention is paid to the mathaar-kaam as the main identifying feature of the copper craft cluster. Moreover, several beating patterns have also been revived. The water series is derived from the age old Indian tradition of storing drinking water in copper vessels, and considerable research on the tradition of kalai and its benefits. Most importantly, the inspirations are drawn from copper and brass heirloom pieces that copper lovers own, have experienced, or reminisce, thus attempting to constantly resurrect vintage pieces.
Coppre believes that a brand is not about the goods or services offered by it but how successfully its collaborators and customers identify with its core beliefs. The brand visualizes immense potential in the future for handcrafted wares owing to increasing global appreciation for it. Ideologies like the makers’ movement, culture-based innovations, recyclable materials, story-embedded products will continue to define the way Coppre will relate to its products in the future. With plans to collaborate with talented designers from India and overseas the brand aspires launch unique and bespoke designs that reflect these ideologies.
The team of Coppre see themselves as knowledge leaders and brand leaders reviving and re-interpreting indigenous systems and designs in the metal-ware space. They will continue to promote and help artisans by bringing them into the economic mainstream.
The main differentiators of Coppre are the designs and the constant endeavour at the intersection of craft, creativity, quality and business. Keeping hard work at the core, Coppre tries to propagate the superiority of the handcrafted.
Text By Anindita Ganguly
Contact
Email: hello@coppre.in
Web: www.coppre.in