The masterful handicraft of wild tamarind and jumbie bead seedwork was a dying art,
with only five women left in the world to create it until Botanique Studios.
Botanique is putting Antiguan and Barbudan seedwork,
a tradition whose African origins have outlived and transcended its challenging past,
on a global stage of excellence, imbued with a message that is undeniably
as beautiful, empowering, and profound as the craft itself.
Rare and Authentic Seedwork
These artistic expressions are botanical in nature and are unique to the twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. This scenic space in the Caribbean sea is home to 100,000 persons and was initially inhabited by Amerindians. The island has a past binding its people to a history of enslavement. As exemplified by the Botanique line of products, traditional artisanship is one of the few remaining intangible cultural skills that keep the island’s heritage alive.
The crafts presented are only a snapshot of the broad range of custom-made products produced by the hands of master artisan Antiguan and Barbudan women who specialize in seedwork—created out of the wild tamarind and jumbie bead Seeds. Only 5 master artisans are left and are training the next generation of Antiguan and Barbudan craftspersons. They will continue the legacy of creating these beautiful complex patterns of wild tamarind and jumbie bead seeds sewn together to make spider web patterns for jewelry, fashion items, and household decor.
Botanique Empowerment Dolls
The dolls presented in our product line are adapted from traditional Antiguan and Barbudan dolls to re-branded as “Botanique Empowerment Dolls.” These dolls reflect the African heritage of Antigua and Barbuda, and many other Caribbean islands. They are also referred to as topsy-turvy dolls in many parts of the Caribbean since they are reversible. These dolls depict black girls/women in the official national dress constructed primarily of Antiguan and Barbudan madras, a lightweight cotton fabric with a patterned texture, and tartan design with red, gold, and green accents.
The negative connotations of the doll’s predecessor, which was also known as a ‘Mammy Doll’ because she was burdened with black children on one side and white children, presumably sired by their enslavers, on the other side. Botanique Studios is proud to present the empowerment doll with a book, a laptop, or a mobile phone rather than the child as an accessory. Honoring our African heritage, which is at the core of Antigua and Barbuda’s uplifting history, our doll proudly wears the nation’s madras on one side and a royal Kente African print on the other.
In alignment with the Botanique's core philosophy, we include members of the disability community in our initiative as they will assist in producing these dolls. Botanique engages on a fully inclusive platform and, through its unique, intergenerational initiative, employs members of the disability community.
Empowering Women, Safeguarding Traditions, Sustaining the Economy, Building Bridges to Our Past, One Seed At A Time.
We design each collection intending to create pieces that can be passed down through generations with stories that outlast the test of time. But before the story can begin, there are always queries.
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