WOOD CARVING
Carved woodwork is among the most important crafts of Kashmir, Walnut is the most common wood used for carving it is home to some of the best walnut wood carving done anywhere in the world. Kashmir is the only part of India where the walnut tree grows and one of the few places in the world where walnut is still available at an altitude of 5500-7500 feet above sea level.
The walnut wood is hard and durable, its close grain and even texture facilitates fine and detailed work. Its colour, grain and sheen are unique, and the carving and fretwork that is done on this wood is of the finest quality. Walnut wood from the root is almost black, and the grain here is much more pronounced than the wood of the trunk, which is lighter in colour. The branches have the lightest colour, almost blonde, and have no noticeable grain. The intrinsic worth of the wood from each part of the tree differs–wood from the root being the most expensive. There are several varieties of carving-deep carving, usually with a dragon or lotus flower motifs; shallow carving, done all over the flat surface; open or latticework, usually depicting the Chinar motif; and semi-carving, which is a thin panel along the rim of a surface, with perhaps a centre motif. The advantage of semi-carving is that it allows the grain of the wood to be displayed, together with the carver’s skill. Wax polishing brings out the inherent sheen of walnut wood and is by far the most popular finish. Since varnish obscures the grain of the wood and alters its hue, it is rarely used.
The Kashmir craftsman, however, rejoices in carving intricate and varied designs. A variety of carved products bear recurrent motifs of the rose, lotus, iris, bunches of grapes, pears and chinar leaves. Dragon motifs and patterns taken from Kani and embroidered shawls all find their place in wooden objects with deep relief carving. A variety of articles, both decorative and utilitarian, ranging from small items like bowls, trays, cigarette boxes, wall plaques and table lamps to screens, bedsteads and larger items of furniture are carved in walnut wood.
Four main types of carving are usually practised in Kashmir-raised, engraved, undercut and plain. The carving of furniture and smaller items is an elaborate process and involves a high degree of skill and craftsmanship. The carving is done with the help of small indigenous tools. The art of wood carving is centred in the city of Srinagar.
