The history of bone work and antler work takes us to the Mughal period where this work was done as a proper job in Pakistan today and the products created are known as plastics in today’s world. Each material and technique used by Pakistani craftsmen in doing this bone work is unique. In ancient period of time, combs were also made with these materials which were quite hard and strong.
The tools used in this skill are almost the same as the tools used in carpeting. The most popular bone today used for this work is elephant ivory. These elephant bones are widely used in making weapons.
Nowadays, various types of modern techniques like boiling are used in cleaning the bone, but in previous days, these bones were placed in ants nest and those ants cleaned each and every corner of the bone. The bones used are obtained from the skeletons of animals. The size of these bones plays a big part in bone work. Larger the bones, better the work. Most of the bones are obtained in right shape. Bones that are not cooked are preferred for this work. To get the exact shape of a particular object, craftsmen use typical crafting tools.
The most common objects made from bones in Pakistan are sword mounts, combs, pins, bracelets, pottery stamps, ice skates, gaming pieces, beads, weaving tablets, needle cases, seals, whistles, knife handles, clamps and are exported to outer countries as well. The most useful and beneficial type of bone used in making different products is the whalebone. This bone is not that popular today, but was used on large scale in ancient period of time and these bones were washed ashore. This type of whale bone was used because of the reason that bigger bones are better for carving as mentioned above. The techniques of bone work are quite similar to those used in past days.
