Material · Organic

Camel bone

استخوان

Cut into fine rods to supply the white elements of khatam inlay.

Origin

By-product of pastoral herding.

Properties

  • Dense and pale
  • Takes a high polish
  • Brittle in thin sections
  • Yellows slowly with age

Preparation

Degreased, bleached, then sawn and filed into triangular rods.

Care & preservation

Avoid solvents and heat, both of which crack thin bone elements.

General guidance only. For valuable or fragile pieces, consult a qualified conservator before cleaning or treatment.

Used in these crafts

Khatamkari

A Persian inlay art in which fine rods of wood, bone and metal are bundled into star units, sliced into thin sheets and applied to a wooden surface to form dense geometric tessellation.