Khatam Kari-The Art of Marquetry

Khatam Kari, which is the technique of inlaying tiny fragments of bone, metal or wood on the surface of various items, is one of the most exquisite Iranian handicrafts. Using thin sticks of wood (orange, ebony, rose and teak), camel bone (for the white sections) and brass (for the golden parts), this Iranian handcrafted art creates intricate patterns in geometrical forms, notably star-shaped patterns.

The sticks are then put together to create triangular beams, which are then joined together in a certain order to create a cylinder with a geometric design, such a six-pointed star inside of a hexagon. Shorter cylinders are created by cutting the longer ones, which are then crushed and dried in between two wooden plates. These pieces are prepared to be plated and put onto the item before being lacquered. Khatamkari is one of Iran’s most intricate handicrafts.

Up to 250 pieces of metal, bone (typically camel bone), ivory, and wood may be stacked side by side in a cubic centimeter. One of the oldest Persian crafts, Khatam Kari, dates back to the Safavid dynasty and is currently produced in Isfahan, Kerman and Shiraz.