Camel Bone Oval Box - Small

A beautiful lidded bowl or box suited to jewellery, keys and other odds and ends. Or simply as decoration. Crafted from hand shaped panels of camel bone over wood, then exquisitely hand painted. The low oval shape of this bowl was once typically used to store balls of opium and stop them from drying out, hence the term "opium pot". 

Hand made in Rajasthan, India.

Measurements: diameter 15.5 cm, height 6.5 cm

Camel bone has been used in India from ancient times for making utility articles as well as decorative ones. It is the ultimate in recycling and eco-responsible craftsmanship as it allows every part of the noble camel to be used after death. The art of camel bone decoration reached its peak in Mogul times, but is now considered a dying art form. Award-winning master craftsman and art conservationist Zakir Hussain has embarked on a crusade to protect the art of camel bone carving and decoration from dying out by instigating a  mentorship program in conjunction with the Indian government.

Hussain says, “ I have seen a number of crafts at the brink of death in Rajasthan, and I make a point to speak about it during every summit or conference I attend. We have created a number of camel bone artefacts... What we need is a place to exhibit and sell these handicraft forms which is easily accessible to the public, locals and tourists alike.”

-  Project Kalayatra,  2017