Choktse-Table of Sikkim

Choktses are small wooden tables that have their origin in Tibet. They are found in various designs with wonderful patterns. Kath or tsingh are locally known woods used for this craft. Logs of wood first cut to the parts of table and then carved elaborately. With the help of a paper stencil the pattern is transferred on to the wood. The craftsmen are highly skilled to draw the complex motifs freehand without using any reference. Drilling machine is used to drill holes around the motif. Details of the form are carved out using a set of ikas (straight tools) and tikkyu (curved tools).  This makes the carved out form, locally known as the, look three dimensional. The carved panel is fixed in a choktse or painted and polished if it is to be sold as an individual piece. At the end the choktse is sanded properly for a smooth finish coated with primer and then dried and finally coloured. Paints used are blue, green, pink, red, orange, golden and chocolate-brown. Items such as folding table, panels and altars are also crafted using this skill.