Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving

Name: Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving
Brand: Srinagar Woodcraft Artisans Guild

Registry facts for Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving
GI number	GI-39
Typical price	₹2,000 - ₹3,00,000
Verified cooperatives	Srinagar Woodcraft Artisans Guild
State	Jammu & Kashmir

About Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving

Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving is the craft of carving furniture and decorative items from local walnut wood, particularly in Srinagar and nearby towns. Its typical motifs include chinar leaves, flowers, vines, birds and geometric latticework. Products include tables, screens, trays, boxes and wall panels, and the dark, fine-grained wood takes detailed carving well.

Heritage and place

Walnut trees grow widely across Kashmir, and carving developed as a craft alongside architecture, houseboats and shrines that used decorative wooden lattice. Master carvers train apprentices over many years, and family workshops pass down designs. The GI helps protect the origin of the craft and supports artisans against cheap imitations made from other woods or by machine.

How it is made

Craftsmen select seasoned walnut wood, which is hard and dense, then sketch the pattern onto the surface. Using chisels and gouges, they carve shallow relief, deep relief or open jali (pierced) work, depending on the piece. After carving, the surface is sanded, polished and finished with natural oils or wax. Deep, undercut carving takes considerable skill and time, and mistakes cannot be repaired easily.

Registry record

Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving is listed in this catalogue as GI-39, a Geographical Indication tagged product of Jammu & Kashmir in the handicrafts category. The name is legally protected: only producers within the notified region may sell under it. Confirm the entry in the official GI Journal before relying on it commercially.

◈ How to spot a fake Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving

What to check

Look closely at the carving: hand work shows slight variations in depth and line, while machine carving looks uniform and shallow. Real walnut is heavy, with a darker, natural grain, and it carries a mild wood scent. Ask about the wood, since cheaper woods are stained to look like walnut. Buy from established Srinagar workshops, cooperatives and government emporia, and keep the piece away from direct sunlight and damp.

Chiseled from authentic slow-seasoned walnut logs. Displays deep undercuts and rich natural grains; fakes use soft rubberwood with brown varnish.

Price to expect

Genuine Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving typically sells in the range of ₹2,000 - ₹3,00,000. Prices far below that range are a common sign of an imitation.

Where to buy

Look for authorised sellers such as Srinagar Woodcraft Artisans Guild, or government emporia and cooperatives in Jammu & Kashmir.

Catalogue record

Catalogue record: GI-39 · Jammu & Kashmir · reviewed 2026-10-02

Frequently asked questions

What is the GI registration number of Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving?

This catalogue lists Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving as GI-39. Registration numbers should be confirmed against the official GI Journal before commercial use.

Where is Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving made?

Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving is produced in Jammu & Kashmir, in the handicrafts category of this catalogue.

Can Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving legally be made outside Jammu & Kashmir?

No. GI protection means only producers within the notified region of Jammu & Kashmir may legally sell goods under the name “Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving”.

What does genuine Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving cost?

Genuine Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving typically sells in the range of ₹2,000 - ₹3,00,000. Prices far below this range are a common sign of an imitation.

How can I spot a fake Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving?

Chiseled from authentic slow-seasoned walnut logs. Displays deep undercuts and rich natural grains; fakes use soft rubberwood with brown varnish.

Where should I buy genuine Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving?