Nepali Wood Craft

Woodcraft is considered to be one of the oldest crafts known to man. Many countries have their own traditional designs and methods of making wooden products. Woodwork includes the art of making wooden tools, toys, musical instruments, sculptures, and other artifacts. In Nepal, wood-crafting is an art that has been practiced for centuries. Most woodcrafts in Nepal are passed down from generation to generation. In fact, there are many families who continue to practice this craft and pass it on to future generations. Nepalese woodcrafts are some of the finest examples of fine arts and crafts.

(source: https://masters-craft.blogspot.com/2015/09/crafts-of-nepal-woodcarving.html)

 

Woodcarving is a traditional craft in Nepal. Traditionally, woodcarvers use local hardwoods like teakwood, rosewood, mahogany, ebony, kapok, bamboo, and sandalwood. They work with tools like chisels, gouges, planes, adzes, drawknives, awls, hammers, nails, and saws. Woodcarvings are used in homes, temples, monasteries, palaces, and shrines for decorative and historic & cultural purposes.

 

Nepalese woodcarving has been around for centuries and was originally used as religious art. Today, it’s still practiced as an art, but now it’s become a form of entertainment. There are many different styles of woodcarvings that are popular in Nepal.  The country’s rich culture has influenced their woodworking skills. They make wood crafts that showcase their unique designs and patterns. The craftsmanship and artistry that goes into making these beautiful hand-crafted wooden items are simply breathtaking. Each piece of wood, from the raw material stage through to the finished product, is a work of art.

 

Traditional Wood Crafts in Nepal

 

Nepal is home to many ethnic groups and cultures. One of the oldest and most popular Nepalese folk arts is wood carving. This is especially true of the Newari community. They have been creating amazing pieces of art for centuries. The techniques that they use are quite unique. Instead of having a smooth surface, theirs often have jagged edges, cracks, and rough surfaces. There are many artisans who are passionate about making different types of crafts. These include woodcarvers, blacksmiths, painters, sculptors, weavers, and other skilled artists. Many of them are highly skilled in what they do. They usually use wood as well as metals to create various items that may include furniture, musical instruments, tools, utensils, weapons, and even toys.

(source: https://www.artelino.eu/en/articles/arts-and-crafts/155-wood-carving-nepal.html)

 

Carved wooden items were traditionally used to decorate temples and monasteries, but over time they started being used in homes, especially among wealthy families and government officials. Some people believe that using carved wooden items in the home brings good luck and fortune which made wood crafting a trend in the Nepali culture. Traditional wood crafting techniques are still used today in Nepal. They have been passed down through generations and are used to make everything from furniture to musical instruments to give them artistic finishes. Some of the craftsmen in Nepal still use traditional methods that were developed in the ancient period.

Modern Wood Crafting in Nepal

 

The craft of woodworking has been around since ancient times. In fact, wood has always been a common material that was used to build many things. However, until recently, modern techniques were not applied to this old art. But now, modern woodworkers are using these techniques to improve their craft and produce beautiful works. With the use of technology like machinery and computerized tools, they have produced high-quality products that can compete against those made by traditional methods.

(source:https://spacesnepalblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/09/woodcraft-in-nepalese-architecture/)

 

Although wood craftsmanship in Nepal has been around for centuries. But only recently have people started to recognize its value and importance. Craftsmen are now able to make high-quality products that can compete with those produced in other countries. This is due to many factors including but not limited to, the use of modern tools and machinery, improved manufacturing techniques and decreased production costs.

 

Also, in recent years, craftsmen have begun to use environmentally friendly materials like bamboo and recycled plastic in their work. These materials are much cheaper than traditional woods. They are also easier to find and less likely to cause damage to the environment.

 

Wood Crafting Process

 

Woodcraft is the art of creating beautiful objects from wood. In Nepal, wood carving is a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations. This tradition dates back centuries and continues today at workshops across the country. There are many different techniques that can be used to carve wood. Some people use tools such as saws, drills, planes, chisels, hammers, files, scrapers, knives, and other hand-held power tools. Other methods include using rope, wire, metal, plastic, glue, nails, and screws. Sometimes, a mixture of several materials is used to create a unique item.

(source: http://traditionalcomfort.com/blog/nepali-wood-carving)

 

Wood crafting is a laborious job and takes years to master. Yet, if done right, it can be extremely rewarding. Wood carving is a craft that involves artistic skills yet its materials are often quite basic. A wood crafter needs to start out by selecting his/her material and then carve away at it for hours to give life to the artistic imagination.

 

The process of making wooden carvings starts with the selection of wood. This includes cutting down trees into logs that are then used to make lumber. This can be done manually or using a machine called a sawmill.  The wood is then prepared to receive the design. Carvings are usually done on a flat surface, but can also be carved onto three-dimensional objects such as stools, bowls, boxes, and other items.

 

After the lumber is cut, artisans sort through it to find pieces that are straight, flat, and uniform. There are many ways to do this. One way is to look at the grain of the wood and another way is to look at its color. Artisans will also knots and other imperfections of the piece to properly use the undamaged parts.

 

The last step before artisans start building something from the wood is preparing the lumber. This means sanding off any rough spots or knots, and staining the piece if desired. Sanding allows artisans to get rid of any splinters or imperfections while staining changes the color of the wood.

(source: http://traditionalcomfort.com/blog/nepali-wood-carving)

 

After the sanding is complete, the carver uses different types of tools to carve out the design. Some of these tools include knives, axes, and drills. Each tool has its own purpose depending on what type of design is being created.

 

Once the design is finished, the piece is polished and coated with wax to protect it from water damage.

 

History of Wood Crafts in Nepal

 

The history of woodcraft in Nepalese can be traced back to historic times. There are many traditional craftsmen who have been practicing these arts for ages. They use woods like teakwood, mahogany, rosewood, and ebony. to make various kinds of furniture, utensils, musical instruments, household items, religious artifacts, and other wooden products that are used daily. Some of them are still practicing their ancestral art while others are converting into modernized forms.

(source: https://www.aliore.org/stage-de-sculpture-sur-bois-a-bhaktapur-au-nepal-a.html)

 

Some of the popular wood crafts include temple cabinets, door panels, pillars, gateways, staircases, and windows. These products are exported to different parts of countries and even around the globe. There were two major types of woodcraft in the past; woodcarving and woodworking. Woodcarvers used wood to create beautiful sculptures while woodworkers used wood to make tools, furniture, musical instruments, and other household items.

 

Woodcrafts are still practiced today in Nepal. In fact, they are quite popular among people from all walks of life. Many people use them to decorate their homes and temples. Some even sell their works at local markets. As civilization progressed, woodcrafts became more refined and developed into modern-day arts. Today, woodcrafts are still common in rural areas but are slowly being replaced by more modern forms of art.

 

Current State of Wood Crafts in Nepal

 

Although, traditional woodcrafting in Nepal has been practiced since ancient times. Today, many artisans have taken up modern techniques and tools to make their work easier. This just hasn’t made the production procedure easies, but, also the artisans are able to mass-produce their crafts for economical advantages. Woodcrafting has played a significant role in the culture of Nepal, so the modern artisans haven’t completely abandoned the cultural practices passed down the generation. The tools and techniques may be modern, but the values and work that the artisans put to create the masterpieces are still genuine and authentic to their traditional trademark.

(source: https://handicraftsinnepal.com/wood-carving-nepal)

 

Wood carving is still done today throughout the country, but the government has tried to stop this practice due to deforestation. This problem was brought about by the influx of tourists who want to purchase wooden items. Because of this, the government now requires that all wood products sold in the city come from local sources only.

 

Today, carvers use their skills to create a variety of wooden objects including boxes, trays, bowls, pitchers, serving platters, candle holders, furniture, musical instruments, and household goods. One of the biggest problems facing Nepalese craftsmen today is a lack of education and training opportunities. Many craftsmen do not receive any formal education past primary school. As a result, they cannot read blueprints or understand how to operate machines.

 

Popularity of Nepali Wood Crafts

 

1. Authenticity

 

Nepal has been famous for its crafts since ancient times. Nepal’s craftsmanship has always been known around the world, especially wooden crafts. These crafts have been passed down from generation to generation. They are still being produced today with the same level of dedication and passed down cultural values. This tradition continues today and is still practiced by many artisans across the country. These crafts are not only beautiful but they have a story behind them. You can find these items at local markets or online shops.

 

2. Quality

 

The craftsmen of Nepal are well-trained professionals who know how to make their goods. They use quality materials that last long. The craftsmen take pride in their work and they do not cut corners. They only use high-quality materials that can withstand the test of time, the historic wood crafts that are still preserved to this date make a point about the quality and durability of the Nepali crafts.

 

3. Diverse design

 

Nepal’s crafts are unique and diverse. They feature traditional designs and patterns that are often inspired by nature. Many of the crafts are designed using natural materials like wood, stone, metal, and clay depending upon the need of the customer. Your woodcraft isn’t limited to the use of just wood, if you want to add some additional touches, you can ask the artisans to customize it according to your design. Most of the decorative wood crafts in Nepal feature other materials like different metals, stones, and even jewels as per request.

 

4. Because they are environmentally friendly!

 

A lot of wood crafts used in Nepal are not only beautiful but eco-friendly too. They don’t use harmful materials like nails and glue to make their product. They use wooden items that can easily decompose after being discarded. This makes them eco-friendly for people who care about nature.

 

Even in the modern wood crafting of the country, the traditional norms and values are carried with pride, so the use of any environmentally degradable components are not included in their majestic art. There is no use of chemicals, pesticides, and toxic substances while making craft items.

 

5. All types of wood are used here.

 

Nepal is famous for its different kinds of woodcraft production. Every region in Nepal has its own unique kind of wood product. You may see the local folk making various products from bamboo, teakwood, mahogany, rosewood, etc in a different kinds of woodcraft. The type of wood type is specific generally depending on the creation.

 

Different types of wood serve different purposes some have durability features while others are known for their decorative purposes and for adding shine to the craft. So, the choice of wood for the craft is depend on its function and purpose which the master artists determine before commencing their artwork.

 

6. Unique in nature

 

All these products are handmade products and can never be replicated. So, if you want to own a product that cannot easily go out of style, then get your hands on these beautiful pieces. You will not find any other products that offer quality and uniqueness at an economical price range in the country.

 

Also, Nepali crafts contain unique designs and patterns that cannot be found anywhere else. They are crafted using local raw materials and designed to inspire creativity. Many of the items are beautiful pieces of art!

 

Some of the Interesting Facts About Wood Crafts in Nepal

 

• In addition to being a popular tourist destination, Nepal is also home to many traditional craftsmen who have been making these wooden items for generations. These products are often used for religious ceremonies or sold at local markets.

 

• Nepal has a rich history of woodcrafting. In fact, many of the crafts are still practiced today. They have been passed down through generations and are considered to be a symbol of national pride.

 

• Nepal’s natural resources include high-quality timber that can be used to make various types of craft items.

 

• There are several different types of crafts that are popular in Nepal. Some of them are wooden carvings, furniture, musical instruments, and masks.

 

• Many people believe that these crafts are not only beautiful but they are also functional. For example, some masks are worn during festivals and other events.

 

• Most of the wood crafts in Nepal are made from teak wood, mahogany, rosewood, and bamboo.

 

• Nepal is known around the world for its beautiful handicrafts, particularly woodcrafts. They are highly sought after by art collectors and craft enthusiasts alike.

 

• There are two main types of wood that are used to make wood crafts: teakwood and sandalwood. Both are hardwoods, but they are harvested from different areas of the country. Teakwood is mainly grown along the Himalayan foothills while sandalwood is cultivated in the tropical regions of the country.
•  Many Nepali wood crafts are still made by hand using simple tools like knives and saws. However, machines are now used to produce them faster and more efficiently.

 

• The craft of woodcarving became popular among the people due to its simplicity and affordability. There were no specialized tools needed to carve wood; only basic carving knives were used.

 

• Because wood is a renewable resource, it has become a major industry in Nepal. Many rural families depend on this trade.

 

• Nepali wood crafts have become a symbol of national identity and pride. They are widely recognized around the world, especially in Europe and America.