Wood carving is an ancient art form of Sikkim. It was initially patronized by Buddhist monasteries where you can still see the ornate wood-work. Wood carving is done on Choktsis (carved table), Bakchok (square table), wooden masks, decorative screens, lucky signs, altars, lamp stands and other decorative items. Three types of wood are used for wood carvings – tooni (toona celiata), rani chaap (macalia exelsa) and okner (walnut). The designs usually have figures of dragons, birds and phoenix.
