Carved walnut wood-work is among the most important crafts of Kashmir. Walnut woodcarving is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir by Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom during the reign of Zainul Abdideen in the 15th century. The king promoted the art to improve the valley’s economy. A variety of carved products bear recurrent motifs of the rose, lotus, iris, bunches of grapes, pears, chinar leaves and dragon motifs. The raw material used for the fine woodcarving of Kashmir is obtained from walnut tree locally known as ‘Doon Kul’.

Wood carving is done on various products, from basic furniture like closets, table lamps, and dining tables to more intricate ornamental pieces and jewellery boxes. The carving of furniture and other smaller items is an elaborate process and involves high degree of skill and craftsmanship. 

There are five main styles of woodcarving: Undercut (Khokerdar), Open or Lattice work (Jalidahr), Deep carving (Vaboraveth), Semi carving (Padri), Shallow carving (Sadikaam).