Bone Carving

Bone Carving from Uttar Pradesh uses discarded buffalo and camel bones to create detailed ornaments, jewelry, and home decor, continuing an Indian tradition with roots in the Indus Valley Civilization. Today, Sambhal and the areas around Lucknow and Barabanki are leading centers for this craft, where artisans use skills passed down through generations to shape ethically sourced bones into intricate products.

Bone carving in India is rooted in prehistory, evidenced by archaeological finds of carved bone artifacts from the Harappan era, where bones were fashioned into tools, ornaments, and ritual objects. The craft flourished under Mughal patronage, when ivory and bone were carved into elaborate decorative pieces for royal courts, featuring complex floral and geometric motifs. The transition from ivory to bone occurred in the late 20th century, following conservation laws banning ivory, prompting artisans to adapt their techniques to new materials.

The process of bone carving begins with sourcing bones, primarily from animals that have died naturally or as byproducts of the meat industry. Artisans carefully select, cut, and clean the bones, boiling them with soda to remove fat and odor, then bleaching them with hydrogen peroxide to achieve a uniform color. Once prepared, the bones are shaped and joined using adhesives, then marked for design with a compass. Skilled carvers use a range of specialized tools—such as chisels, files, and drills—to create jali (lattice) work, engravings, and inlays. Some pieces are colored with powder paints or boiled with tea leaves for a vintage finish, and all are polished to a fine sheen.

The unique qualities of Indian bone carving lie in its adaptability, intricate jali work, and the transformation of waste material into objects of beauty and utility. The craft’s resilience is evident in the way artisans have shifted from ivory to bone, expanded their product range, and leveraged online platforms to reach global audiences. Bone carving holds a niche but respected position in the market, valued for both its heritage and its eco-friendly practices.

Photo Courtesy: My Modern Met | Indian Textiles & Crafts Repository | KnockSense