Candle Holders and Potpourri Bowls from Nature

BODHI LEAF CANDLE HOLDER/POTPOURRI BOWL: The shape of this bowl is inspired by the heart-shape Bodhi Leaf from the Bodhi Tree, a sacred tree associated with Gautama Buddha's journey to enlightenment.

Candles and scented potpourris in a place of worship put you immediately in a spiritual mood for prayer, meditation and contemplation. Place the same things in a modern home and you create an ambience of peace, calm, serenity and romance.

That's the wonder of candles and potpourris, and it spurred us on a journey in search of candle holders and potpourri bowls that are unique and that tie in with our social mission of championing the talents of ordinary folks and generating income for them.

Giving a modern spin to traditional objects

As if a Higher Hand was guiding us, our search led us to Nuck who created this collection of Candle Holders and Potpourri Bowls by giving a modern spin to objects traditionally associated with religious offerings and worship.

Inspired by nature and made from nature

Nuck's designs are inspired by nature and made from nature. Adapting the technique of papier mache, Nuck works with the bark of banana trees and 'gold leaf' used in temples to make these candle holders and bowls. She taught her technique, which she called "banana mache", to lower income villagers in northern Thailand to help them earn extra income.

Designs that reflect lives and cultures in Asia

What's also special about this collection of candle holders and potpourri bowls is that their designs reflect lives and cultures in Asia.

We have potpourri bowls that are modeled after the heart-shape leaf of the Bodhi tree, the sacred tree which is associated with Gautama Buddha's journey to enlightenment. We also have potpourri bowls made from coconut shells; coconut trees being very much a part of the Asian landscape.

One of our candle holder designs is inspired by the shape of the rice grain to reflect the  economic and cultural importance of rice in the lives of many Asian communities. Another candle holder design is shaped like a leaf to reflect another Asian identity, the tropical rainforest.

'Gold leaf', commonly seen in Buddhist temples, is used to coat the inside of the candle holders and potpourri bowls to give them the spiritual touch and the golden glow.

WHERE TO BUY THEM: Our Candle Holders and Potpourri Bowls are sold at the Singapore Art Museum shop at Bras Basah Road and at The Garden Shop in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

CANDLE HOLDER (RICE): Rice is a staple food and an integral part of life and cultures of the people in Asia. This Candle Holder is designed in the shape of the rice grain.

CANDLE/POTPOURRI BOWL (COCONUT): The coconut shell is the natural material used to make this candle/potpourri bowl. As with the other candle holders/potpourri bowls, the inside of the coconut shell is coated with 'gold leaf' commonly seen in Buddhist temples.

CANDLE HOLDER (LEAF): The elegant shape of leaves in the tropical rainforest inspired the abstract leaf-shape design of this candle holder.