Antique Ivory

Antique Ivory carving, one of the oldest traditions in India, has also been described as one of the noblest crafts by the Vedic literature. History reveals that King Solomon acquired Indian Ivory in 10th Century B.C., and King Darius used ivory pieces to decorate his palace. The magic balls, a set of 5 to 9 spheres, one within the other and yet completely detached from each other, is one of the most intriguing examples of ivory carving. Items such as elephants with riders, figurines and ornaments decorated with exquisite work were then made. Delhi is one of the main centres for ivory carving. Popular items are chess sets, billiard balls and small articles like scent bottles, paper knives, trinket or pan boxes, and a number of jewellery items like beads, bead necklaces, bangles and rings.

The Ivory carvers of Bengal and Jaipur are known for items such as the 'ambari 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. 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 and symbols have been traditionally made in Kerala and Karnataka.

Rajasthan has been famed for its ivory items, which include, hand-fans with charming figures for handles, and centre pieces for the dining table with ornately carved receptacles shaped as flowers and half-opened blossoms. Ivory craftsmen of Gujarat make human figures and statues of deities in excellent quality. Punjab's highly decorated elephants and figurines depicting characters from folk or heroic tales are superb.

Uttar Pradesh is famous for its Hindu and Buddhist figures of deities, dancing poses and decorative plaques. Kerala has an amazing tradition of painting on ivory. The state with its profusion of temples with carvings could not but specialize in figures of gods and goddesses of superb workmanship. Scenes from Ramayana and other epic stories and statue of St.George on a giant charger, killing the dragon with his spear are some of the fabulous works in Ivory. The work on the doors of the Amber palace in Jaipur and the exquisite inlay in the Mysore palace doors and the Golden Temple at Amritsar, proclaim the architectural decoration with Ivory.

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