Khatam Kari

Khatami Kari or marquetry is one of famous Iranian handicrafts, which is common in Shiraz and Isfahan. And the oldest samples belong to Safavaid era. The artists are covering and decorating the surface of wooden objects with pieces of wood, bones, and metals that have been cut into tiny and delicate triangle shapes especially like “star» and in different color. The harmony of colors and forms can amaze a visitor for a while! The "Khatam-kari" is therefore the "work of inlays".

The necessary materials for khatam kari are

• Different types of woods: Ebony wood, Areca wood, Maple wood
• Metal wires: copper, brass, silver and sometimes gold
• Different bones: Tusk, camel bone, cow bone, horse bone

We can use Khatam to decorate chessboards or backgammon, jewelry boxes, pipes, desks, frames or some musical instruments.