Pure Sandalwood Carving Sculptures

Product Details

Beautiful Sandalwood Carving Sculptures

Important Note: These art pieces are crafted by a national award winner.

Sandalwood, a precious material with significant religious importance, is used to carve objects. Its history spans over 4,000 years, and the wood is highly valued for its strong scent. This evergreen tree, reaching up to 16 meters, is a parasite that thrives by burrowing into a host tree, absorbing nutrients until the host collapses, leaving the sandalwood standing tall. The trees are never cut down but uprooted during the rainy season when the essential oil content is higher.

The Art of Sandalwood Carving:

Sandalwood, one of the oldest scents discovered by humans, holds religious significance and is sought after for carving objects. The essential oil, found in the heartwood and roots, imparts a unique, woodsy, and sweet scent. Karnataka boasts vast sandalwood forests, and skilled carvers are found throughout India.

There are two types of sandalwood:

1. Sugandha - close-grained and yellowish-brown, used for carving.

2. Nagagandha - dark-brown, from which oil is extracted.

During the rainy season, when oil content is higher, sandalwood trees are uprooted. The refined wood is used to create various products, including chariots, deity idols, dolls, musical instruments, photo frames, combs, temples, and decorative pieces. Carving techniques like jaali, with designs in high and low relief, are common. The older the sandalwood, the higher its quality and cost over time.