Camel bone

Khatam (marquetry micro-mosaic) traditionally combines woods, brass or other metal wire and a light-coloured element historically made from bone, often described as camel bone, and in some historic work ivory. Bundles of thin rods are glued into triangular or polygonal bars, sliced and laid onto a box, frame or panel. In contemporary production the white element may also be plastic or resin; reputable makers and sellers should state which is used.

Bone shows tiny dark pores and canals under magnification; elephant ivory shows characteristic cross-hatched Schreger lines on cut sections; plastic is usually uniform. In khatam the pieces are so small that identification without magnification is unreliable. Trade in ivory is restricted in many countries, so a claim of ivory can create legal problems for export and sale. Ask for clear documentation instead of hot-needle tests, which damage the object.

Workshop accounts describe boiling and degreasing bone, sawing it into strips and planing it to thin rods matched to wooden and metal elements. Uneven preparation shows as gaps or variable triangle sizes in the finished pattern. Fine, regular geometry indicates skill, but tolerances alone cannot date an object or distinguish a master from a well-run modern workshop.

Bone, wood and metal expand and contract differently with humidity and temperature, so khatam is vulnerable to lifting, cracking and lost elements. Keep objects away from radiators and direct sun, avoid wet cleaning and polish, and dust gently with a soft brush. Collect any fallen fragments and give them to a conservator rather than regluing with household adhesives.