Ohjya Box

JOD 155

Dimensions

200 x 128 x 88 mm

Description

Ohjiya (Arabic, noun: puzzle, riddle) is a puzzle box celebrating the crafts of wood-mosaic and traditional carpentry. Inspired by traditional secret puzzle boxes, the artisan created two boxes with different playful designs and intricate patterns of wood-mosaic. To open the box, it requires five steps of movement that unlock its secret.

The box is available in two pattern designs; linear and zigzag using a variety of wood types, such as rosewood, maple, walnut and frake.

Care instructions

Clean using a dry cloth and avoid exposure to liquids

ABOUT THE CRAFT

WOOD-MOSAIC

Wood-mosaic has a long history in the Levant, and it is of particular significance to artisans in Damascus. It is often created using a number of different woods, such as walnut, olive, eucalyptus, cherry, lemon, and rose woods. Mother-of-pearl can also be used. The woods are cut into strips and fitted together to create a design, forming long trunks stored by artisans for future pieces. The artisan will select the trunk to use and slice it, and this slice will then be inlaid into wood to create a geometric design. Detailed and intricate wood-mosaic has now all but disappeared as artisans produce less complex designs. In Jordan, a small community of wood-mosaic artisans are practicing and preserving the craft by passing their knowledge to a new generation of apprentices.