Laminated Wood Work and Inlay Wood Carving of Kerala

The grains and colours of different woods are creatively utilized to achieve patterns or pictorial compositions as wall hangings, panels and display. Other wall displays include Kathakali masks, Candle stands, Key stands, Boxes etc. Production centers are in Maradu in Ernakulam district and in Koftayam district – Thalayokaparambu. This craft technique involves the glueing of layers of wood together so as to create specific forms and structures. This process is often adopted when solid planks and boards are either too expensive or unavailable. In instances where glued constructions are turned into circular shapes to produce articles like bowls, vases, and plates, the objects are finished with a coat of shellac. During the last few decades, several decorative forms of laminated constructions have been put into practice; these include the traditional blocking technique, the segmented ring method, the band saw method and the mitred laminate design. Increased ornamentation is achieved through the introduction of brass work on laminated wood. In the inlay technique, the surface of the wood is prepared and a variety of coloured materials are shaped and set into precisely contoured matching cavities in order to create an illusion. The inset material could be variously coloured woods, ivory that is now banned, plastic or bone , each chosen with care to enhance the illustration.