History and Company Facts

Rukotvorine (engl. „Handcrafts“) belongs to that exceptional category of European family-owned enterprises that through generations of uncompromising quality and innovation become symbols of a city and its traditions. In the 19th century, our family began to expand on a centuries-old woodcarving technique originating in the small Bosnian town of Konjic. Based on this legacy Rukotvorine has been building heirloom quality hand-carved furniture since 1927.
Our grandfather, Adem Nikši? developed this entirely new furniture style, which has come to be known as the „Bosnian Konjic style“. Our grandfather's pieces found their place in the residencies and offices of the Austro-Hungarian rulers and villas of the elite in south central Europe.

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Today several pieces of our furniture are under state protection as part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national cultural heritage. Our products and the woodcarving technique perfected through four generations of carvers were featured in a UNESCO publication on exceptional craftsmanship in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, efforts are underway to include Konjic woodcarving technique on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

The family's devotion to quality and uniqueness helped Rukotvorine survive the socialist era. Now, with the tragic events of the 90s behind us, Rukotvorine is again enjoying a renaissance in this family enterprise. Our new products with traditional designs and reproductions of our old ones are again in high demand in Bosnia and internationally, sought after by aficionados of exceptional and authentic craftsmanship, top quality European hardwoods, as well as uncompromising ethical and environmental standards we embrace.

Manulution

Embedded in our modern designer products is a philosophy we call manulution. In Rukotvorine we cherish diversity and uniqueness. We hold in high esteem skilled manual work and craftsmanship. We are passionate about authentic design. Yet, a combination of these qualities in today’s globalized world is hard to find. Products and places are increasingly homogenized. In the world of modern technology there appears to be little room for skilled craftsmen. Design ideas are unique and special only until they leave a designer’s notebook. We are rebelling against this paradigm and launching a revolution, a revolution of skilled manual work, a manulution.

Working with some of the most talented professional designers in the Balkans region, who find inspiration in our traditional designs, we have been developing new lines of distinctive and authentic designer furniture. We source sustainably exploited local hardwoods (e.g. walnut, cherry, maple, elm, ash, and oak) and use modern technology to process them. Then, exceptionally skilled craftsmen apply our traditional hand-carving techniques to modern furniture designs and innovative carving patterns. We finish each piece by hand in natural and ecologically friendly finishes. All products are produced in limited editions and no two products can ever be the same.

In our products tradition is effortlessly blended into modernity. A synergy of design, technology, and traditional craftsmanship renders manulution a reality.