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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!
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