Woodwork

Woodcraft is the specialty of the Newar artisans of the Kathmandu Valley. Windows and frames, statues of gods, erotic carvings, traditional figures, and carvings with modern motifs are also available. The wooden images are made by using tools that were used a thousand years ago.

Metalwork
Metalwork done here is an exceptional work of art. Statues of high quality are available for prices ranging from a few thousand rupees to gold inlaid life-sized works.

Gurkha Khukuri  
This is a very different kind of knive found only in Nepal. Price ranges according to the hardness of the blade and the origin of its make. Nepal are excellent and ornate knives for decor are also available.

Carpets
Tibetan carpets are popular floor coverings in Europe and much of Nepal's foreign exchange earnings have come from the sale of carpets in the past two decades. The designs are traditional as well as modern. The modern designs have been created by some of the best artists working today in Europe and the products of the better manufacturers have graced many a Tibetan rug collection. 

Gems and Jewellery
Nepal has some of the best goldsmiths and silver smiths in the world, i.e. the Newar craftsmen, who have been delighting collectors and royal patrons with their exquisite creations for more than 600 years. Nepal's most distinctive gems are the exquisite tourmalines from the eastern ranges, in pink, sunset rose, peach, golden, amber and green. There are very rare lime-green tourmalines that are found no where else, and some with more than one colour in a single stone.

Thangkas and Paubhas
For hundreds of years, scroll paintings have decorated the walls of monasteries, temples, and homes in East Asia.  Most of the older surviving scroll paintings are reminders of a period when the rulers and the public were concentrating upon the arts as offerings to the deities.

Mithila Paintings
The Mithila paintings, known as Madhubani paintings in India and Janakpur paintings in Nepal, are a common practice among the women of southern Nepal. The paintings, in fact, are usually painted over with clay when the women clean the house for the next festival.

Hand-woven Cloth
Many weavers in the Valley produce hand-woven cotton cloth of many colours and patterns. Visitors will find beautifully designed clothing and fabrics in Kathmandu's shops. Tussar which is the best Nepalese silk is not shiny but has a natural glow. 

Paper Products 
Traditional Nepalese paper, popularly known as "rice paper" is actually made of lokta bark found in remote areas of the country. Because of its strength, government offices use it for official documents. Many stores in Thamel and Patan sell writing pads and bound journals, as well as calendars and lamp shades of lokta paper.

Baskets
In the Terai region, baskets used for household and decorative purposes are made from grass. Raw jute which is one of Nepal's largest exports is grown in the southern Terai region and made into baskets and other materials.

Warning
Antiques are not permitted to be taken out of Nepal. An inspection by the Department of Archaeology is required for any exports of antiques.