CHINIOT (today Pakistan

CHINIOT

The Punjab region, now divided between India and Pakistan, takes its name from the Persian for the 'five rivers' (panj ab) that flow through it. Its geographical position as the north-western gateway to the sub-continent means that invasions and wars have often swept across its plains, as have migrating peoples, ideas and aesthetic influences. The Panjab was an important province of the Mughal empire. The city of Lahore was the northern capital where the emperor and the royal family often resided, building extensive forts and palaces. Later, Ranjit Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of the Panjab in Lahore, not far from the spiritual heart of the Sikh kingdom, Amritsar. Eventually the region become part of the British Empire. All this has influenced the rich art of the region.

Wood carving Due to their position at the foothills of the sub-Himalayan forests, towns in northern Panjab evolved rich woodworking traditions. Techniques practised included wood carving, ivory carving and inlaying wood with ivory and brass. Traditionally these techniques were used for the decoration of doors and columns in household interiors. However, under British patronage, craftsmen began to apply their skills to westernstyle articles such as decorative boxes, tables, screens and small cabinets. Such goods found a ready market, not only among the British in the Panjab and major cities, but also at international exhibitions and shops in London and New York that specialised in oriental 'curiosities'. In the late 19th century, towns such as Hoshiarpur and Chiniot became centres of manufacture for vast quantities of inlaid or carved woodwork aimed at foreign markets, while Delhi and Amritsar monopolised the production and trade in solid ivory articles such as caskets and gift boxes. Chiniot favored the use of sheesham wood (Dalbergia Sissoo). Shisham wood is from the deciduous tree of the sub-Himalayan tract. It is a durable wood, which does not warp or split and is one of the most esteemed woods used for furniture making in the north of India along with deodar (Himalayan cedar). While Rosewood is more commonly found furniture and wares of the south, inlaid and wood carving from Saharanpur, Farakhabad, Lucknow, Chiniot, Hoshiapur and Jallandar would be based on shisham wood. Due to these talented and hardworking people Pakistan is globally very famous for its wood carving especially wood work of Swat, Gujrat and Chiniot. Swat is famous for its dark black, sturdy and hued walnut tree wood and products made with this wood with beautiful and charming carving including jewelry boxes, furniture, doors, window panes, swings and balconies etc.Chiniot Pakistan was once famous for the manufacture of boats and bows for both civil and military purposes. That tradition died out long ago. However, it still remains a veritable center of wood-carving and masonry Specimens of wood-carving include decorated doors, carved and foliated tracery for balconies and window frames. Inlay of brass is also wrought in Shisham wood of dark hue which provides an excellent base for the contrast of brass. All varieties of furniture of fine quality and requisite designs are undertaken at Chiniot Pakistan.

This tiny box is only 5” x 3” and yet is astounding for its decorative complexity. The lid contains three types of sadeli roundels, each with a metal surround, tarkashi inlay using copper and brass wires also mother of pearl wings to four of the sadeli roundels. The box is made of Indian rosewood lined with a veneer of an unknown burl wood

As with the example on the facing page, this example displays the same virtuosy use of tarkashi wire inlay. The form of a box containing decorated drawers with a drop leaf front is based on a Portuguese vergueno which entered India via Goa.