 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. In Karnataka, Mysore is the main centre for
ivory carving.
Ivory carvings are available in other parts of India too. 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.
There are many handicraft centres in Bangalore where
beautiful ivory items can be bought. It is always wise to buy
an ivory piece from a reputed and genuine ivory dealer. Never
buy an ivory item from a roadside vendor or an unauthorized
dealer.
Here are a few places where you can purchase genuine ivory masterpieces:
Rajwada Handicrafts, 30/3, Ist Floor, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore-560
030
Phone: 98450 17204
Gallerie Lavelle, # 497, CMH Road, Indiranagar-560 038
Kristie Antique Art, Parvath Arcade, 7, Airport Road, Bangalore-560
071
Phone: 2554 3399
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