Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving are generally products made of walnut wood from Kashmir further embellished with hand carving of traditional designs and motifs by traditional carvers (naqash) from Kashmir.
The wood used in the products is derived from the walnut tree, a member of the Jugladuceae family known by the botanical name Juglans regia. The tree is locally known as dhoon kul (Kashmiri) or akhrot ka peth (urdu). Kashmir Walnut Wood carving is made from cultivated variety of wood like wantu, dun and khakazi and not from wild trees.
The process of walnut wood carving is known as dhun hath kaem (walnut wood work) or simply as dhoon kaeam (walnut work). It is representative of local tradition of carving evolved over centuries and transmitted through usage of both wood as well as stone in architectural as sculptural medium.
For carving, the wood is taken from the base and the trunk and not the branches. The colour, grain and sheen of the walnut wood are unique. The wood is hard and durable, its close grain and even texture facilitates fine and detailed carving work. It also presents visually interesting effect with mere polished surfaces.
The wood is seasoned naturally and sent to the carpenter who makes the required object from it. The wood is then carved according to the selected design. The designs and motifs carved on walnut wood objects are reflections of flora and fauna of Kashmir. Finally the product is polished.
Walnut carving is practiced in five main styles
- Undercut (khokedar)
- Open Lattice (Jalidhar, Shabokdar)
- Raised carving (Vaboraveth)
- Engraved carving (Padri)
- Plain Carving (Sadikaam)
- Texture with nails (Dagakil)
Some of the traditional designs of the wood carving are
- Gul Tarah – a design which used various flowers in stylised version
- Mavi Dahar – design employing depicting fruit bearing trees
- Dach Tarah – most popular design depicting grapes along with leaves and vine
- Badam Tarah – the famous almond motif of Kashmir region
- Janavar ti Jandhar Tarah – depicts various birds, animals and aquatic animal species found in Kashmir
- Jungle Tarah – refinement of janvar tarah which also includes the physical surrounding landscape and environment
- Scenery Dhar – based on general landscape with stylised depictions of famous gardens of Kashmir
- Harfi Dhar – design based on carving of Arabic, Persian or Kashmiri verses
- Taveez Dhar – similar to Harfi Dhar but Quranic verses are depicted
- Hashiyi Dhar – used along the borders and based on floral motifs
- Raiz Kari – intricate floral work
Range of products include large sized items of furniture like cabinets, beds, dining tables, folding screens, book racks to smaller pieces of furniture like trays, lamps, candle stands, jewellery cases, mirror cases, cigarette cases etc.
GI Tag Registration Date : 06 January 2012
GI Tag Number : 182
Certificate Number : 162
Geographical Area : Jammu and Kashmir
Special Cover Release Date : 17 August 2021
Cancellation : Srinagar 190 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : J&K/06/2021
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