Crafting to Perfection

Ivory carving refers to the craft of carving of ivory, that is, animal tooth or tusk, by using sharp cutting tools, either mechanically or manually. In recent times, due to the ban on the use of elephant tusks, artisans have turned to other substitutes such as bone, sandalwood and horn for carving.

Ivory Carving in India

Ivory carving is done all over India, the main centers being Delhi, Punjab, Bengal, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra, Kerala, Vishakapatnam, etc. Delhi is also an important manufacturing centre of ivory jewellery. Carved ivory bangles, ear-studs and other utility items such as paper knives, cocktail pins, fancy hairpins, and buttons, etc. are produced in large quantities in the capital city.

Delhi was one of the main centres for ivory carving during the reign of the Mughal Empire. A variety of ivory ware was produced, for both decorative as well as utilitarian purposes. The art reached new heights with the use of floral motifs and intricate designs in jali-lattice work. Some of the ivory products which were in popular demand included chess sets, billiard balls, perfume bottles, paper knives, pan box and jewellery items like bangles, rings, necklaces, etc. The Ivory carvers of Delhi were specially known for their models of ambari hathi, bullock carts, caskets, palanquins, etc.

Procedure of Ivory Carving

Ivory is not only precious, but very difficult to work with, being a dense substance. It is covered with an outer layer of rough bark which needs to be removed first. The ivory piece is then soaked in milk to soften it so that it is easy to carve. The object which is to be carved is then drawn on the piece of ivory and a number of chisels are used to carve the object with the finest details. A variety of files are used to enable fine carving. The surface is then smoothened using sand paper and then treated with methylated spirit. If not pure white, it is put in hydrogen peroxide solution to whiten it.

For those interested in Ivory craft, the Delhi Ivory Palace in Shahjahanabad is worth seeing. It is a 300-year-old shop that used to attract the best craftsmen of the time. The main attraction is an old set of furniture carved by three generations of craftsmen. This was to be gifted to Queen Victoria at that time. The model of the carved elephant in Delhi is an example of the intricacy of the ivory-carving tradition of India.