Najdi Doors

A heritage craft that reflects the beauty of Najdi architecture, marked by hand-carved and painted motifs inspired by the local landscape.

Woodwork

About Najdi Doors

Najdi doors are made of tamarisk or sidr wood, their planks joined with iron nails and their faces carved with triangles, circles and crossing lines, then painted with colours from local pigments.

A door told of the standing of the house and the skill of its carpenter; fine examples still stand in Diriyah, At-Turaif and the old towns of Najd.

How it is made

  1. Step 1: Selecting and seasoning the wood

  2. Step 2: Cutting and joining the planks

  3. Step 3: Laying out the motifs

  4. Step 4: Carving the ornament

  5. Step 5: Painting and finishing

Tools

  • Saw
  • Chisel
  • Hammer

Raw materials

  • Tamarisk wood
  • Sidr wood
  • Iron nails
  • Natural pigments

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