About wooden crafts
Nepal's wood carving tradition is centered in Bhaktapur, the ancient Newari city renowned for its extraordinary wooden temples, palace windows, and strut carvings. The same techniques used to carve the 15th-century Nyatapola Temple are still practiced today by Bhaktapur's wood carvers. Artisans work primarily with sal wood (Shorea robusta), a dense tropical hardwood native to Nepal's Terai region, and with lighter timbers like chiuri wood for decorative items. Products range from intricately carved masks and window frames to decorative boxes, walking sticks, and furniture. Every piece is carved entirely by hand using traditional chisels and mallets.
How they are made
The carver selects and seasons the wood — sal wood is typically air-dried for 6-12 months to prevent cracking. The rough shape is cut with hand saws, then the detailed carving begins with an array of chisels, gouges, and mallets. A single mask or decorative panel can require 1-5 days of continuous carving work. After carving, the piece is sanded smooth, any paint or stain is applied by hand, and a final finish of lacquer or beeswax is applied to protect the wood and enhance the grain. For traditional painted masks, a base coat of natural clay is applied before painting with mineral pigments.