Hi Shriv Thank you I gathered most of these wooden printing blocks in antique shops across Kathmandu over the last 6 years, but i also have an extensive network of people searching for interesting ritual objects connected to my work and ongoing film and book projects and am friends with a great many collectors, dealers Shaman and spiritual practitioners across the world.but particularly throughout Asia. The Printing blocks used for Textyes are quite easy to find and are still in use, But are available because of new digital printing, The Naga (snake God ) printing blocks are extremely rare because like the textile blocks the images for Nag Panchami printed to protect each households front door is now cheaply produced with mass digital printing Because these were craft items used in a ritual they held no special value for the Nepali at the time of being replaced perhaps 50 to 70 years ago, so most were probably discarded. I have a particular interest in Naga so 2 different dealers kept them back for me. The traditional Chinese woodblock designs of the old faithful couple, the 8 Chinese immortals, and the worrier.I found by chance in a Kathmandu antique shop. I don't know how they came to be here and the dealer didn't know what they were. Nepal and Kathmandu, in particular, have been the central trading hub for the silk route between china Tibet and India and the middle east for at least 5000 years so one finds objects from across here
@@paulwilkinson5970 That's amazing! I went to Thamel, Asan and Basantapur to look for some but couldn't find any old ones they were all made recently and still in use. I was looking for the Nagin one but probably won't find that one then. I am looking for textiles ones but like the Naga, fairly small, can you suggest any particular place where I may be able to find anything like it? Thanks for your detailed reply, I've learnt a lot.
Great content Paul, love the idea for the series! Do you mind sharing where you found/bought these blocks?
Hi Shriv Thank you I gathered most of these wooden printing blocks in antique shops across Kathmandu over the last 6 years, but i also have an extensive network of people searching for interesting ritual objects connected to my work and ongoing film and book projects and am friends with a great many collectors, dealers Shaman and spiritual practitioners across the world.but particularly throughout Asia. The Printing blocks used for Textyes are quite easy to find and are still in use, But are available because of new digital printing, The Naga (snake God ) printing blocks are extremely rare because like the textile blocks the images for Nag Panchami printed to protect each households front door is now cheaply produced with mass digital printing Because these were craft items used in a ritual they held no special value for the Nepali at the time of being replaced perhaps 50 to 70 years ago, so most were probably discarded. I have a particular interest in Naga so 2 different dealers kept them back for me. The traditional Chinese woodblock designs of the old faithful couple, the 8 Chinese immortals, and the worrier.I found by chance in a Kathmandu antique shop. I don't know how they came to be here and the dealer didn't know what they were. Nepal and Kathmandu, in particular, have been the central trading hub for the silk route between china Tibet and India and the middle east for at least 5000 years so one finds objects from across here
@@paulwilkinson5970 That's amazing! I went to Thamel, Asan and Basantapur to look for some but couldn't find any old ones they were all made recently and still in use. I was looking for the Nagin one but probably won't find that one then. I am looking for textiles ones but like the Naga, fairly small, can you suggest any particular place where I may be able to find anything like it?
Thanks for your detailed reply, I've learnt a lot.