In line with Cities Boutique’s vision to constantly update and diversify its portfolio of offerings, the region’s pioneering art & design concept store introduced the first of its kind handmade, high-end heritage furniture, Etqaan, a brand renowned for its extraordinary and intricate, traditional Arabian craftsmanship.  Cities, in Galleria Mall on Al Wasl Road, is now home to a number of beautiful pieces from the latest Etqaan collection.

“We decided to add Etqaan to our portfolio because we really believe in supporting the revival of a fading craftsmanship.  We also wanted to provide our customers with handcrafted and deep-rooted furniture pieces, that combine original techniques with a modern day perspective while still maintaining authenticity,” explains Cities owner Hazem Aljesr, “We always try to ensure that our customers’ experience at Cities is both memorable and unique, and we believe that these pieces would be a beautiful addition to anyone’s home.”

Etqaan is a revival of the art of historic Egyptian carpentry that requires the skill and patience of meticulously engraving Arabic calligraphy onto tables, doors, mirrors and banquettes as well as larger scale projects like hotels and mansions, with details such wood paneling and ceilings work. It involved integrating different materials such as mother of pearl, brass, camel bones and natural leather inlayed into genuine massive wood to create a piece of furniture.  Etqaan art pieces are never identical. Being handcrafted, there is always the beauty of variance, the touch and vision of the artist, and the feel of exquisite unevenness.

Like Egypt’s history, the style of the products comes from a combination of Coptic, Islamic and European influences that manifested beautifully into furniture designs. Each piece is inspired by a different era, like the 16thcentury bridal box from Persia, which was crafted over 800 hours, using genuine walnut wood inlayed with mother of pearl. Or the beautiful simplistic 19thcentury Egyptian Banquette inspired by Gayer Anderson Museum in Cairo where 350 hours were spent in carving the genuine walnut wood into striking floral patterns.

Etqaan is the brainchild of a partnership between the holding company Iwan Crafts and the talented craftsmanship of Hossama that goes back to the early 1900s with a remarkable portfolio of historic restoration projects across Egypt.  Hossama’s impressive projects include the Hanging Church in Old Cairo, Amr Ibn Alas Mosque, Al Ghoury Market and iconic hotels that where once royal palaces the Mena House Cairo and the Cairo Marriott. Together they are set to become synonymous for a trendsetting Arabian habitat art.