One of the oldest uses of Javanese vetiver root is to weave the root into mats, hung in windows to be dampened and scent the air with its serene aroma. Our vetiver and water hyacinth placemats and runners are handwoven in a women’s cooperative in Java, where the fine skill of weaving the difficult materials is passed down from mother to daughter for generations. The expert craftswomen work either at Pak Jumari’s workshop or in the comfort of their homes. 

The girls threading a striped warp for a vetiver runner.