Wooden Crafts - Sculpture or Wood work in Nepal has been flourishing since the early years of the Licchavi period (300-879 AD), though the remains of this work have not been recovered. There are no physical monuments remaining from this era in Nepal to prove their creation except for its being mentioned in documentaries. The wooden artifacts of those days are usually sculptures of deities, demons, and animals, tudals (small columns to support overhanging roof but exclusively decorated), carved and lattice windows revealing intricate designs and peacocks, and doors, pillars as well as others. The woodwork in Kathmandu seems independent from outside influences except for the fact that the designs of these woodworks were essentially based on Holy Scripture, stylized mythical structures, related to the paintings in different texts, or conventional designs such as curves, lotuses, flowers, and fire. Some of the ancient wooden sculptures found are (a) Vasundhara, wife of Jambhala, god of Wealth, fifteenth century, Bhaktapur Museum; (b) Dancing girl dressed as a queen, fifteenth century, Bhaktapur Museum; (c) Gnome like being, or Yaksha, seventeenth century, Bhaktapur Museum; (d) Ganesh, seventeenth century, Bhaktapur Museum;(e) spinning wheel, eighteenth century, framework of carved wood, Nepal Museum, Kathmandu. Some of the woodwork used at architectural sites during Malla period are: (a) latticed windows (b) peacock window, Bhaktapur, (c) tudals at different palaces (d) decorated pillars (e) doors.
Nowadays these are one of the souvenir items of Nepal mostly liked by tourists as token of love and very popular for gift purposes in Nepal. Some popular sculpture are three carved window, window with peacock, peacock and eye window, kunari window, dragon window, buddha idol,chhepu design,chaityas, garudha, hiti manga, naga, eight auspicious signs, window frame, photo frame and more.
So, here we bring you varieties of wooden sculptures that is very popular maintaining high quality and preserving traditional art work & cultural heritage of nepal.