Design Resource
Tibetan Wood Carving - Himachal Pradesh
Empowering Culture through Motifs based on Nature
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and Lija M. G.
Tools and Raw Materials
Simple and basic tools are generally used for Tibetan wood carving. Usually Pine (for frame) and Teak wood are preferred for making the carvings on the products as it is highly durable. The wooden planks are purchased from Gagal village and brought to Norbulingka.
| 1. | Pine wood (Kail) – It is used because it’s affordable and easy to carve. |
| 2. | Teak (Rai) – It is largely preferred as it contains natural oil content and is highly flexible, durable. |
Below listed are some of the tools and raw materials used for Tibetan wood carving:-
| • Table Saw | – These are wood working equipment which supports to cut the wood into required shape. |
| • Hand Saw | – The extra edges of the wood are removed using hand saw. |
| • Carbon Sheet | – It is used to trace the designs on the wood. |
| • Pencil | – It is used to draw (trace) the designs on the wood. |
| • Measuring Tape | – It is used to measure and mark the designs on the wood. |
| • Scissors | – These are used to cut the papers. |
| • Adhesive | – It is used to stick the designed paper sheets on the wood. |
| • Drilling Machine | – It is used to create holes. |
| • Bah (Traditional tool) | – It is used to cut the wooden part which is not required in the motif of design. |
| • Bench Vice | – These are used to hold the wood that is bolted to carve. |
| • Hand Chisels | – These are used to carve out the wood which is struck with wooden mallet. |
| • Semi Curved Chisels | – These are used to cut the wood in semicircular shape. |
| • Wooden Mallet | – It is used to strike the chisels according to the required shape. |
| • Files | – These are used to soften and even the surface of wood. |
| • Planer | – It is used make the surface of the wood flat. |
| • Screw Drivers | – These are used to insert the screw heads to wood. |
| • Hammer | – It is used to fit-in the two parts of the wood tightly. |
| • Tri Square | – It is used for measuring and marking the designs on the wood. |
| • Cutting Plier | – It is used for cutting and pulling the wires. |
| • Nails | – These are used to join the different parts of the wood. |
| • Sand Paper | – It is used to soften the surface of the wood. |
| • Buffing Machine | – It is used as an equipment to buff the top surface of the wood. |
| • Tooth Brush | – It is used to remove the fine dust on the wood surface. |
| • Varnish | – Its transparent, protective finish applied on the wood as a coat. |
| • Natural Paintings | – These are preferred to paint the wood surface on requirement. |
