Purna Vase
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Homeware & Decoration
Company Name:Ananta Design Studio
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Rucita Vassen and Viveka Vassen
Manufacturer Name:Monkeybiz
Photo Credit:Various (Roheen Abdulla and Sune van Tonder)
Project Location:Cape Town
Design Status:Commercialized
Website: View
Product Description:
The glass beaded Purna Vase is a contemporary interpretation of heritage crafts - blending craftmanship, culture, storytelling and emotion. Inspired by the vibrancy of our cross-cultural African and Indian heritage, and by the Sanskrit word ‘Purna’ meaning ‘fully blossomed’ or ‘complete’ - these vases embody abundance, spiritual awakening, and the joy of living fully. Reimagining and pushing the boundaries of African beadwork to uncover new and unexpected forms, each vase is brought to life through a meticulous glue-beading technique, placing glass beads one-by-one. The organic, rounded forms of the vase echo a flower at its peak bloom, with raised contours on either side magnifying its sense of fullness. This reinforces the vase’s sculptural presence, allowing it to live both as a collectible art piece and a vessel for simple floral arrangements with its glass test tube. The Purna Vase goes beyond object however - it carries the voices of our craft communities. Each vase holds the spirit, emotion, resilience, and lived experiences of the women artisans whose hands and hearts bring it to life - a reminder for us all to live fully and embrace our own blossoming.
The glass beaded Purna Vase is a contemporary interpretation of heritage crafts - blending craftmanship, culture, storytelling and emotion. Inspired by the vibrancy of our cross-cultural African and Indian heritage, and by the Sanskrit word ‘Purna’ meaning ‘fully blossomed’ or ‘complete’ - these vases embody abundance, spiritual awakening, and the joy of living fully. Reimagining and pushing the boundaries of African beadwork to uncover new and unexpected forms, each vase is brought to life through a meticulous glue-beading technique, placing glass beads one-by-one. The organic, rounded forms of the vase echo a flower at its peak bloom, with raised contours on either side magnifying its sense of fullness. This reinforces the vase’s sculptural presence, allowing it to live both as a collectible art piece and a vessel for simple floral arrangements with its glass test tube. The Purna Vase goes beyond object however - it carries the voices of our craft communities. Each vase holds the spirit, emotion, resilience, and lived experiences of the women artisans whose hands and hearts bring it to life - a reminder for us all to live fully and embrace our own blossoming.
Product Innovation / Specification:
The Purna Vase breathes new life into heritage craft through a hybrid of processes - industrial precision combined with handmade community craftsmanship. Each vase is precision CNC-cut from Supawood (MDF) with a stacked profile. Two mirrored halves are cut, sanded and joined to create the full form. A sticker template is applied onto the base as a colour guide, before being handed to the artisans. Using a glue-beading technique, each glass bead is placed individually - a process demanding immense patience and precision. The beadwork follows the geometry of the form yet celebrates the joyful imperfections of the handmade, grounding the design in something deeply human. The surface is sealed with a protective brush-on resin, and the base is finished with soft felt. The innovation lies in the seamless fusion of hybrid processes and cultural storytelling: marrying industrial techniques with African craft traditions, and translating the spiritual concept of Purna - fullness, blossoming, and abundance - into a tangible, functional, and collectible form. Each vase is a testament to handcraft, technical mastery, and a design philosophy that celebrates abundance in both life and design.
The Purna Vase breathes new life into heritage craft through a hybrid of processes - industrial precision combined with handmade community craftsmanship. Each vase is precision CNC-cut from Supawood (MDF) with a stacked profile. Two mirrored halves are cut, sanded and joined to create the full form. A sticker template is applied onto the base as a colour guide, before being handed to the artisans. Using a glue-beading technique, each glass bead is placed individually - a process demanding immense patience and precision. The beadwork follows the geometry of the form yet celebrates the joyful imperfections of the handmade, grounding the design in something deeply human. The surface is sealed with a protective brush-on resin, and the base is finished with soft felt. The innovation lies in the seamless fusion of hybrid processes and cultural storytelling: marrying industrial techniques with African craft traditions, and translating the spiritual concept of Purna - fullness, blossoming, and abundance - into a tangible, functional, and collectible form. Each vase is a testament to handcraft, technical mastery, and a design philosophy that celebrates abundance in both life and design.
Product Sustainability Approach:
The Purna Vase embodies a holistic approach to sustainability - one that values material consciousness, slow craft, and cultural preservation. Crafted from durable, responsibly sourced Supawood (MDF), the vase’s base is made from waste chippings and sawdust from the timber machining process that are collected and repurposed to form a strong, stable material. This process reduces environmental impact and makes efficient use of what would otherwise be discarded. Offcuts are further reused for smaller projects and packaging, ensuring minimal waste throughout production. Each piece is meticulously hand-beaded using a precise glue-beading technique that embraces handcraft over mass production, creating minimal material waste while maximising human skill and artistry. For us, sustainability extends beyond materials - it lives in the hands of our artisans. By preserving traditional skills, creating dignified livelihoods, and embedding storytelling in every bead, the Purna Vase honours craftsmanship and cultural memory, nurturing a sustainable creative ecosystem rooted in heritage, community, and the enduring spirit of African design.
The Purna Vase embodies a holistic approach to sustainability - one that values material consciousness, slow craft, and cultural preservation. Crafted from durable, responsibly sourced Supawood (MDF), the vase’s base is made from waste chippings and sawdust from the timber machining process that are collected and repurposed to form a strong, stable material. This process reduces environmental impact and makes efficient use of what would otherwise be discarded. Offcuts are further reused for smaller projects and packaging, ensuring minimal waste throughout production. Each piece is meticulously hand-beaded using a precise glue-beading technique that embraces handcraft over mass production, creating minimal material waste while maximising human skill and artistry. For us, sustainability extends beyond materials - it lives in the hands of our artisans. By preserving traditional skills, creating dignified livelihoods, and embedding storytelling in every bead, the Purna Vase honours craftsmanship and cultural memory, nurturing a sustainable creative ecosystem rooted in heritage, community, and the enduring spirit of African design.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
The Purna Vase creates meaningful opportunities for skilled bead artists, most of whom are women from Cape Town’s townships. Through this work, they become primary breadwinners, fostering personal growth, financial independence, and community prosperity. We embrace a collaborative approach to reimagining African design, drawing on artisans’ generational knowledge and reimagining it through a contemporary, design-led lens, honouring and preserving African craft. By producing collectible pieces, we elevate local craftsmanship and position artisans on an international stage, inspiring younger generations and nurturing a sustainable creative ecosystem. Each vase carries a story of empowerment, collaboration, and cultural pride.
The Purna Vase creates meaningful opportunities for skilled bead artists, most of whom are women from Cape Town’s townships. Through this work, they become primary breadwinners, fostering personal growth, financial independence, and community prosperity. We embrace a collaborative approach to reimagining African design, drawing on artisans’ generational knowledge and reimagining it through a contemporary, design-led lens, honouring and preserving African craft. By producing collectible pieces, we elevate local craftsmanship and position artisans on an international stage, inspiring younger generations and nurturing a sustainable creative ecosystem. Each vase carries a story of empowerment, collaboration, and cultural pride.
Company Name:Ananta Design Studio
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Rucita Vassen and Viveka Vassen
