Craft Name: Wooden Block Carving
Region: Pan India
CRAFT
HISTORY
Wood carving in India dates back to ancient times — even during the eras of early empires (like the Mauryan/Gupta period) craftspeople used wood to create structural and decorative carvings for temples, palaces, and dwellings. Over centuries (from roughly 500 CE onward), wood carving flourished. Wood-carved pillars, doorways, decorative panels — often with mythological, floral, geometric or figurative motifs — became common features in temples, palaces and homes.
WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE:
- Carved from dense hardwood (sheesham)
- Deep, clean negative carving for printing
- Perfect alignment for repeat patterns
Received a
GI tag in 2023
COLOURS
- Traditional palettes include rich jewel tones, maroon, emerald, navy, royal blue, paired with gold or silver zari.
- How much time does it take to make a product, and how many artisans are involved in making this craft? A Zardozi piece takes 3–20 days, involving 2–5 skilled karigars
MOTIFS
Geometric, Nature-inspired, depending on the printing its used for.
How much time does it take to make a product, and how many artisans are involved in the process?
A wooden block takes 1–4 days, carved by 1 artisan using chisels and punches.
RAW MATERIAL
- Wood blocks, butter paper
- Tool- hisel, U/V Shaped Chisel, sandpaper, hammer, pencil, benching tool and pencil
CRAFT MAKING PROCESS
HOW TO IDENTIFY GENUINE AND AUTHENTIC CRAFT
- Crisp, deep carving
- Solid hardwood (not soft wood)
- Slight hand-made asymmetry
- Ink stains from actual printing