About Sannadhi

Sannadhi began with a simple problem: the brass objects we grew up with were hard to find in a usable, well-finished form. Temple shops sold heavy pieces made for display. Import shops sold thin, lacquered versions that lost their surface within a year.

We work with two foundries and a finishing workshop between Thanjavur and Chennai. The forms are traditional — a five-wick diya, a kamatchi vilakku, a lota with a fitted lid — but the finish is adjusted for daily use: weights that sit flat, rims that do not cut, handles that stay cool.

How pieces are made

Most of our pieces are sand-cast. A pattern is pressed into sand, molten brass is poured, and the casting is left to cool overnight. The next day it is filed, drilled and weighed. Small inconsistencies in the surface are part of the process; they are not defects.

Spun pieces — the tealight dish, the incense tray — begin as a flat sheet and are shaped on a lathe. These are lighter and more uniform.

Why unlacquered

We do not lacquer most of our brass. A lacquer layer looks bright for a few months and then wears unevenly, which is worse than an honest patina. Unlacquered brass darkens where it is handled and stays brighter where it is not. If you want it bright, a little brass paste will bring it back.

The catalogue

We keep a small catalogue on purpose. Sixteen pieces, most with two sizes, covers a daily pooja, a festival table and a housewarming gift. New pieces are added when we can make them well, not on a seasonal schedule.

If you are looking for something that is not listed, write to us at hello@sannadhi.com. We can often make a small batch.