A glance at ancient craft of Nazok-Kari in Urmia

Nazok-Kari, which is making delicate objects, both applicable and artistic, from wood, is one of the ancient Persian crafts practiced in the Iranian city of Urmia for centuries.

Two approaches are used to pursue Nazok-Kari. In the first one which can be compared with wood marquetry, small and fine pieces are cut from woods with different colors, and then they are laid and put next to each other in a way that they look like one piece of wood. Then, they are polished and painted.  

In the second method, one type of wood, usually walnut, is used to make objects by cutting and polishing pieces of wood into bowls, plates, and boxes for jewelry etc.

Other woods that can be used in Nazok-Kari are maple, buckthorn, plane, pine, and alder. There are also materials such as cold or hot gum, lacquer, and tools such as manual or electric grinds, saw chisel, clamps, and grinding machine that is used to cut, carve and polish the products.

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