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Wood
Carvings
Kashmir
is the only part of India where the walnut tree grows. Its colour,
grains and inherent sheen are unique and unmistakable, and the
carving and fret work that is done on this wood is of a very
superior quality.
There are two types
of walnut trees the fruit bearing species whose wood
is so well- known, and one which bears no fruit and is locally
known as zangul. Zangul has none of the beauty of
walnut wood, being much less strong and possessing no grain,
and will not be dealt with here. The walnut wood is almost black,
and the grain is locally known as zangul. Zangul
has none of the beauty of walnut wood, being much less strong
and possessing no grain, and will not be dealt with here.
The walnut wood is almost black, and the grain here is much
more pronounced than the wood of the trunk which is lighter
in color. The branches have the lightest color, being almost
blonde, and have no noticeable grain. The intrinsic worth of
the wood from each part of the tree differs- that from the root
being the most expensive and the branches having the lowest
price.
When a dealer buys a whole tree and leaves it to the season,
a part of his capital becomes blocked for that period and this
will naturally be reflected in the cost of his product. A cheaper
product, on the other hand, is liable to warp, or in case it
is taken to warmer climes, will crack or shrink. Knots on any
tree are natural and inevitable, but as their appearance is
commonly thought to mar the beauty and smoothness of the finished
product, knots are usually concealed skillfully in the sawing,
as it is difficult, though not impossible, to mask them while
carving.
Carving is the demonstration of the carvers skill, and
walnut is eminently suitable for this, being one of the strongest
varieties of wood. There are several varieties of carving-deep
carving usually with dragon or lotus flower motifs, two inches
deep or more; shallow carving, half an inch deep done all over
the flat surface; open or lattice work, usually depicting the
Chinar motif.; and most popularly, semi carving, which is a
thin panel along the rim of a surface, with perhaps a Centre
motif. The advantage of the semi-carving is that it allows the
grain of wood to be displayed, together with the carvers
skill. Naturally deep carving with all the skill and labor required,
is the most expensive. Wax polishing brings out the sheen inherent
in walnut wood, and is by far the most popular finish. Because
varnish obscures the grain of the wood and alters its hue, it
is seldom used. When choosing objects made from walnut wood,
keep in mind that the type of carving and part of the tree used
will affect the price.
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