Ivory carving, an old tradition in India, has been described as one of the noblest crafts in Vedic literature. Ivory lends itself eminently to engraving and carving and from time immemorial has been a medium of artistic expression. India, with its large elephant population, has long been a centre of ivory work.

Delhi is famous for chess sets, billiard balls and small articles like scent bottles, paper knives, trinkets or pan boxes, and a number of jewellery items like beads, bead necklaces, bangles and rings.

The Ivory carvers of Bengal, Jaipur and Mysore are known for items such as the 'ambaari hathi' (or processional elephant), models of bullock carts, caskets, book covers, sandals, palanquins and frames for the European market. In Orissa, tradition calls for offering ivory inlaid furniture to the temple of Puri.

Uttar Pradesh is famous for its Hindu and Buddhist figures of deities, dancing poses and decorative plaques. Kerala has an amazing tradition of paintings on ivory. The state with its large number of temple carvings, specializes in figures of gods and goddesses. Scenes from the Ramayana and other epic stories and statues of St.George are some of the wonderful works in Ivory. Ivory craftsmen of Gujarat make excellent human figures and statues of deities. Punjab's highly decorated elephants and figurines depicting characters from folk or heroic tales are superb.

The traditional master craftsmen of Karnataka make miniature shrines with delicate pillars and intricate low relief floral work, caskets depicting scenes from myths and legends, and images of gods and goddesses, including Christian icons.

Mysore's exquisite ivory items include hand-fans with charming figures for handles and center pieces for the dining table with richly carved half-opened flowers. The work on the doors of the Amber Palace in Jaipur, the exquisite inlay on the Mysore Palace doors and the Golden Temple at Amritsar testify the use of ivory in architectural decoration.

but while shopping gor ivory products, please ensure that you are patronizing only those businesses that are involved in ethical and humane practises. Remember, we need to safeguard that this ancient art survives only in a clean and just fashion in the 21st century!