The store features a range of Buddhist and Tibetan-styled sculptures, mandalas and thangkas.[break]
So what’s different?
The catch here is that a similar looking sculpture of the Green Tara will amount to over Rs 90,000 elsewhere, but here at Art Décor, it costs around Rs 15,000.
“What’s different about our products is that they are made from compressed wood which makes them affordable in comparison to metal works,” explains Anjana Dhakhwa Shakya, the eldest daughter of Dhakhwa. Constructed out of wood, stone and compact powders, their products are made with the help of rubber molds. Lighter in weight, a major raw material used in the process is sawdust collected from factories.
“We’re the first in Nepal to make handicrafts from compressed wood,” boasts Anjana. “Currently, we’ve been focusing more on Tibetan styles, but soon we’ll also have Hindu deities and styles,” she continues, adding that people are interested in buying wall hangings depicting scenes from the epic of Mahabharata. Along with that, Art Décor also plans to export its designs abroad in the future.
“The store looks expensive from the outside and many clients hesitate to come in. But when they do, they realize that they can actually afford to buy our products,” puts in Dhakhwa, who has been in the handicraft business for nearly four decades.
With prices between Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000, Art Décor aims its products at middle class and upper middle class who don’t wish to buy expensive metal sculptures usually priced above Rs 100,000.
And with affordable prices, Art Décor also offers finesse in their works. Made locally, all their pieces have been hand-painted and sculpted and contain fine details. And why wouldn’t they? Art Décor was in the planning for eight years before it finally opened. Most of their products have also been painted to give them an antique appearance.
“It required a lot of research and time to stock up products fit for a store,” states Dhakhwa, who bought the land and constructed the building in order to house Art Décor. He furthers, “On the first floor we have our workshop.”
About the name of the store, Dhakhwa jokes, “Oh! Because Mac Décor is right next door. We’re going to make this street a décor street.”
The family also owns Asta Magal Art and Craft at Mangal Bazaar of Patan that specializes in metal works.
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