1. What We Can Commission for You
Our bespoke service covers the full range of Ladakh wood carving. There is virtually no limit to what our artisans can produce, given sufficient lead time. Popular custom commissions include:
- Bespoke Choktse Tables: Custom dimensions, specific wood species, personalised symbol compositions, and custom colour palettes. You can also buy a Ladakhi Choktse table from our existing ready stock.
- Portrait or Name Carvings: Personalised pieces featuring inscriptions in Tibetan script, Sanskrit, or Roman lettering, integrated into traditional border designs.
- Large Dragon Sculptures: Floor-standing or wall-mounted dragons in specific poses — ascending, descending, coiled, or paired.
- Architectural Elements: Door panels, window surrounds, reception desk facades, and ceiling medallions for hospitality and commercial spaces.
- Altar and Shrine Commissions: Full altar setups including a Choktse, Chorten, altar backing panel, and decorative bowl set, designed as a cohesive collection.
- Corporate and Institutional Gifts: Branded carved pieces for premium gifting — custom symbols or logos integrated into traditional Ladakhi carving compositions.
2. The Commission Process
Initial Consultation (WhatsApp)
Send us your idea via WhatsApp — a description, rough sketch, reference image, or simply a brief. Our artisan team will respond within 24 hours.
Design and Material Consultation
We advise on the best wood species for your piece, discuss the symbol or composition in detail, and may share sketches or reference carvings from our portfolio.
Quote and Timeline Confirmation
We provide a detailed quote covering materials, labour, finishing, and shipping. Timeline is confirmed before any payment is taken.
Carving Begins
Upon payment of a 50% deposit, your piece enters the workshop queue. We send progress photos at key stages for your approval.
Completion, Finishing, and Delivery
On completion, we send final photos for your approval. Balance payment is due before shipping. We arrange insured courier delivery to your address worldwide.
Direct-to-Artisan Transparency
Unlike standard retail networks, Ladakh Wood Works operates on a model of absolute **direct-to-artisan transparency**. There are no middle-men, brokers, or wholesale exporters. When you place a custom order, your request goes directly to our Leh workshop.
Our master carvers personally review your sketch or concept. We document the entire creation process: from selecting the raw seasoned Malchang timber in our yard, to transferring the charcoal outline, and executing the deep-relief chiseling. You will receive regular photo and video updates directly from our workbench via WhatsApp, ensuring you remain connected to the soul of your custom piece. Every rupee spent directly supports local Ladakhi families and ensures the preservation of the Geographical Indication (GI) tagged Shingskos heritage.
Custom Sizing & Architectural Blueprints
To assist in planning your commission, we provide standard structural blueprints and motif layouts below. These can be adjusted to fit your exact interior architecture:
| Product Archetype | Traditional Dimension | Contemporary Standard | Structural Adaptations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choktse Altar Table | 12" H x 20" W x 10" D | 18" H to 24" H (Coffee Table) | Reinforced leg brackets, heavy-duty pivots, and deep drawer slots. |
| Sacred Shrine / Altar | 30" H x 36" W x 15" D | Custom to fit space walls | Modular panel sections with concealed blind tongue-and-groove joint slots. |
| Dukkhabral Wall Panels | 24" H x 48" W x 1" Thick | Any custom architectural scale | Blind-routed reverse framing for flush-mounting on drywall or masonry. |
Note on Pricing
We do not publish fixed prices for bespoke commissions because each piece is unique — the cost depends on the wood species chosen, the complexity of the carving, the size, and the finishing method. All quotes are transparent and itemised. There are no hidden fees.
3. Frequently Asked Questions
Simply message us on WhatsApp at +91-8492986392 with your idea. You don't need a finished design — a rough description is enough to begin the conversation. Our artisans are experienced at developing briefs into carved realities.
Yes. If you have your own artwork, pattern, or design that you would like carved, we can work from your reference material. We do not reproduce sacred imagery from specific monasteries without permission, but can adapt traditional motifs into your composition.
Yes. We ship worldwide via insured courier. We have completed commissions to the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and across Europe and Asia. International wire transfer and UPI payment methods are both accepted.
We require a 50% deposit to begin work on your commission. The remaining 50% is due before shipping. For orders above ₹50,000, payment can be arranged in three stages: 40% on order, 30% mid-production, 30% on completion.