Last month, I spent 3 weeks in Nepal and 12 days trekking to Mt. Everest Base Camp. Along the way, I observed wood, woodworking, and turning because I am interested in that. The only turning in the capital city of Kathmandu was an ivory-turned box in a museum, a couple of hundred years old. In the Everest Himalayan region, I found more. A traditional vessel that I believe to be used for wine appears to be end grain "hollow forms" with a wide rim as a spout. In the Sherpa Heritage Museum at 12500 ft, there were historical artifacts of these vessels that were around 14" high and maybe 8" dia. I do not know the wood. They were turned on a lathe because I could see the tool marks on the inside of a broken one. The outsides were smooth, indicating they had abrasives or metal tools, as well as blacksmiths that could create hooked tools or some other hollowing tool. They are at most 500 years old and at least 80. It is difficult to tell. I still wonder about their method, tools, and wood. Did they have large saws? Did they use porters to bring the wood from the capital? Did they have blacksmiths? What powered the lathes and water? How common were they, and did they hold liquid well? Did they have to be sealed to retain liquid? How did they dry the wood in such a large end-grain piece?
This wine vessel has a broken rim and is broken in half
Ivory box
I also tried to get materials I could turn. It is difficult to get things back, but I have some rhododendron (which grew to +24"). I would have liked some water buffalo or yak horn, but that would be a bit much to get back in my backpack!
This wine vessel has a broken rim and is broken in half Ivory boxI also tried to get materials I could turn. It is difficult to get things back, but I have some rhododendron (which grew to +24"). I would have liked some water buffalo or yak horn, but that would be a bit much to get back in my backpack!
