CHOKTSE-TABLES
CHOKTSES ARE SMALL WOODEN tables which are
intricately carved,painted and polished.The tables are
foldable,portable and are made in varying designs and
dimensions.They are Tibetan in origin.They are made from wood
locally known as kath or tsingh.The various parts of the table are
first cut from wood and then carved.The pattern to be carved is
transferred on the wood with the help of a paper stencil.The
craftsmen are very proficient in drawing complex motifs
freehand without using any reference.Holes are drilled using a
drilling
machine on the portions to be completely removed around the
motif.Using a set of tikkyu(curved tools)and ikas (straight
tools),details of the form are carved out.This makes the carved
out form,locally known as teh,look three-dimensional.The
carved panel is fixedd in a choktse or painted and polished if it
is to be sold as an individual piece.The choktse is sanded
properly to smooth the surface,coated with primer and dried.The
colours are painted according to a sequence. Red, blue, green,
pink, orange, chocolate-brown and golden are used.
Production clusters
East district:
Gangtok
Products
Folding tables
Panels
Altars
A choktse with various Tibetan motifs.
Tools
Pen
Drilling machine
Carving tool
Cutting tool
Tikkyu-curved chisel
Ika-striaght chisel
Below Carved wooden
forms of the Tashi
Takgye,eight
auspicious symbols.
Gyaltsen(victory
banner)
Dhungkar (conch
shell)
Dug
(parasol)
Dragon motifs carved on the side panels of the choktse.
Bhumpa(treasure
vase)
Sernya(golden
fish)
Pema(lotus
flower)
Choekyi Khorla(wheel of Dpalbhe`u(knot of
dharma)
eternity)
Shown to the right is the completed chokste,and below it,are its foldable
side panels.