Tibetan Wood Carving - Himachal Pradesh
Pine wood or teak wood is generally preferred for Tibetan wood carving. The planks of wood are stored on the shelves after seasoning. Based on orders, wooden planks are cut with the table saw to the required shapes and sizes, on which the new designs are traced with the help of a carbon sheet, butter paper and pencil to the wood surface. In case of the bulk requirement the designs are photocopied and pasted with the adhesive on the surface of wood.
Holes are drilled to the part of the design to distinguish the wooden parts of the design to be cut. Unwanted wooden parts of the designs are cut with traditional cutters called Bah or cutters. This wood is fixed firmly to the table vice so that the craftsmen can remove the outer portion of the design with different types of chisels to get the outline of the design. After carving the outlines, intricate carving is done on it by experienced craftsmen (artisan), where certain parts are highlighted to uplift the motif of the designs.
As the intricate portions of the design are carved and sanded with the sandpaper to obtain a smooth finish. With the help of tooth brush the fine dust is removed from the wooden parts. The carved -wooden portions are fixed to each other to form frames which are locked firmly to make it to frames and stands of the products. Varnish is applied on the wood to make the surface more lustrous and further painted with different colors on requirement.
