Diskträ

Diskträ is a Swedish term used to describe disc-shaped wooden objects and, by extension, the craft of producing them. In ethnographic and craft contexts, diskträ refers to flat, circular wooden disks that may serve as tokens, ornaments, game pieces, or decorative elements in furniture and panel work.

Etymology: a compound of disk and trä (wood), reflecting its shape and material.

Production and forms: disks are cut from various woods such as birch or maple, finished with sanding, and sealed with oil or wax. Diameters can range from a few centimeters to larger coasters; thickness usually 2–8 mm for veneer-type disks or thicker for solid wood pieces. Traditional disks are produced by hand-turning on a lathe or by sawing and sanding; modern practice also uses laser cutting or CNC machining for precision and repeatability.

Usage and cultural context: historically found in rural crafts and markets, serving as tokens, counters in games, or decorative elements. In contemporary craft, diskträ disks are used for personal accessories, jewelry components, or as elements in mixed-media artworks.

Status: the term is not widely standardized, and references vary; diskträ is largely descriptive rather than a formally defined category, with meanings that differ by region and era.