Wood Carving

Design Resource

Norbulingka Institute - Sidhpur

Tibetan Art and Culture

Wood Carving

Starting the apprenticeship with drawing practice is the basic rule of Buddhist art, hence this also applies to Buddhist wooden art. The students illustrate designs on a paper until proficient and then slowly moves to simple wood drawings and carvings. Beginners start with pinewood carpentry, gradually moving to teakwood. Once a design is drawn onto the wood, the artisan drills a hole to make space for a fret saw. This fret saw with a strong bamboo frame helps to cut out extra portions of wood that are even less than one square centimeter in size. The ready work is then polished in an old-fashioned method or painted in rich colours, and some are even embellished with gold leaf. The product type ranges from elaborate cabinets and thrones for shrine-rooms, monasteries and temples to even incense stick holders and folding tables.

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Norbulingka Institute - Sidhpur