Report on Ivory Carving Industry at Berhamore (West Bengal)

Abstract

Mr. Hunter in the statistical account of the District of Murshidabad (1876) wrote that “Ivory carving used to be carried on a great extent at Kashmir bazaar. The carvers now live in Murshidabad city and Berhampore. They are clever workers, and can copy any models Supplied to them. The toys and figures which they are in the habit of making are turned out with great skill, neatness and dispatch etc.” Mr. J. F. Rowley in his lecture on the Arts & manufacturers of India, 1852 has also praised the craft man ship of Berhampore Ivory carvers by saying “A variety of specimens of carving in Ivory have been sent from different parts of India and are much to be admired. Among these the Ivory carvers of Berhampore are conspicuous. They have sent a little model of themselves at work, and using, as is the custom of India, only a few tools.