108 IVORY AND THE ELEPHANT 



($500). It may be here noted that in the tomb of Tippu 

 Sultan are very beautiful doors inlaid with ivory.* 



Perhaps the best-known Indian ivory inlaying is the so- 

 called Vizagapatam work, from the Madras Presidency. 

 Sandalwood is chiefly used here, and a great number of small 

 but attractive articles are produced, such as work-boxes, 

 inkstands, card-cases, chess-boards, etc. As a rule the ivory 

 inlay is decorated with figures etched in black and showing 

 mythological subjects or floral patterns, usually, however, 

 from European and not from Hindu originals. As these 

 objects are executed with a very considerable degree of 

 technical skill they command these relatively good prices: 

 Sandalwood and ivory inkstand 50 rupees ($16), watchstand 

 25 rupees ($8 to $9), chess-board 55 rupees ($18), blotting- 

 book 40 rupees ($13), box 135 rupees ($45), picture-frame 

 10 rupees ($3.25). f 



The decoration on the ivory veneer used by the ivory 

 workers of Vizagapatam is obtained by incising the pattern 

 on the surface of the ivory and then filling in the incised 

 lines with black lac. While as an ornamental addition to 

 the boxes in question this inlay is freely used, quite frequently 

 caskets, tables, cabinets, etc., are entirely composed of it. J 



Inlaid boxes of various kinds, the ivory being inserted in 

 small pieces, are made in large quantities in Bombay and in 

 Surat, Baroda, Ahmadabad, and Kach, where many other 

 small inlaid articles are also produced. Of this class of work 

 that able critic of Oriental art. Sir George Birdwood, says: 



"A good deal of ornamental furniture is also made in 

 'Bombay inlaid work,' so familiar now in the ubiquitous 

 glove-boxes, blotting-cases, book-stands, workboxes, desks, 



*T. N. Mukharji, "Art Manufactures of India," Calcutta, 1888, p. 248, 



tT. N. Mukharji, "Art Manufactures of India," Calcutta, 1888, p. 247. 



JConsul Henry D. Baker of Bombay, India, "Report on Ivory and Elephants in India," 

 June 8, 1914. 



