WOOD CARVING

The Turks, over the centuries have perfected their designs using carved stone and wood materials. They cut and carved pieces shaped into geometric shapes like octagons, diamonds, or stars according to the overall design intended. Their most common products were mosque niches, mosque doors, and cupboards. In fact, the production of such handcrafted objects still serves as a source of income for some Turkish usta- master carvers.

They have created their own original techniques in creating these original designs, carvings and kündekâri all the way to present-day Türkiye. Kündekâri technique is similar to mosaic style, combines small wooden pieces in geometrical shapes in order to create much larger surface areas. It’s most often used for window shutters, door wings, lecterns, and minbars. The materials used are mostly walnut wood, applewood, pearwood, cedar wood, ebony, and rosewood that is available in the region.As a result of their transient nature, most wooden objects of the past have not survived to our day. However, some of the finest examples of these extraordinary wood workmanship from the 8th to the end of the 19th century can still be found in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art in İstanbul.  Today, still you may find the similar excellent wooden workmanship  produces beautiful  exquisite walking sticks. You can visit the provinces of Bitlis, Gaziantep, Mardin, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Bursa, Ordu to find the best examples of decorated walking sticks.