A Lost Art

Originally founded in 1999, A Lost Art is a direct importer, distributor and wholesaler of high-quality handmade sculptures, wooden toys, musical instruments and handicrafts from Southeast Asia. Owner David Meller was inspired by his passion for travel along with a love of animals and nature to create a sustainable and eco-friendly company with the goal of empowering the talented local artisans he met during his journeys. After many trips to Ecuador, India, Panama and Vietnam and over 100 trips to Thailand and Indonesia, David established personal relationships and unbreakable bonds with both artisans and their families.

Over the past 23 years, A Lost Art has been able to help stimulate the local village economies especially throughout Bali and Thailand, creating local jobs and increasing artisans’ reach to larger markets, and in turn allowing these villages to thrive. Each and every individual hand-carved sculpture is personally picked out by David himself. Working directly with their artists helps to maintain the highest quality of craftsmanship. In addition, all products are created from eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials, created in safe work environments, and are Fairly traded. The goal is empowerment and sustainability which contributes to financial independence for the artisans. 

Based in: Los Angeles, California

Established: 1999

Brand tags: Social Good, Eco Friendly, Handmade, Small Batch