STONE

CARVING
INTRODUCTION

Stone carving is the controlled

shaping of rough natural stone by
removing stone. Stone work from
prehistoric times has survived due to
its durability. This ancient art form
dates back thousands of years and
has been used for various purposes,
such as creating statues, monuments,
architectural elements, and religious
artefacts.
HISTORY & TRADITION
Stone carving began in the
Palaeolithic period, around
40,000 to 10,000 BCE. During
this period, humans made stone
tools and carvings, including
small figurines and
objects.Stone carving advanced
in ancient civilizations. The
Greeks and Romans were skilled
at stone carving.
Stone carving is a diverse
tradition passed down through
generations in cultures
worldwide. It includes various
artistic expressions and
techniques, each with distinct
characteristics and
significance.
STONE CARVING IN INDIA
India has a rich history of
stone carving, and there
are several famous places
where this art form is
highly revered. Some of
the most notable places
for stone carving in India
include:

Rajasthan
Odisha
Bihar
Karnataka
Madhya Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu

RAJASTHAN
The importance of stone carving can be found in its role in the
creation and preservation of the state's opulent and majestic
architectural heritage. These stone carvings depict scenes from
Rajput history, highlighting the bravery and valour of Rajput
warriors.
ODISHA
The significance of stone carving lies in its contribution to the
magnificence and grandeur of these sacred structures, making them
architectural wonders and attracting devotees and tourists from all
over the world. Odisha's stone carvings frequently depict
mythological stories, cultural motifs, and traditional art forms.
BIHAR
The significance of these carvings lies in their depiction of Buddhist
philosophy and the spread of teachings, which attract pilgrims and
scholars from all over the world. These carvings are important
archaeological records because they provide information about the
region's past civilizations, architectural styles, and artistic techniques.
. KARNATAKA
The Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire, and Chola dynasties all
generously supported the art of stone carving while ruling Karnataka.
The support and patronage given by these kings led to the creation of
magnificent structures with intricate carvings, which is a key factor in
the significance of stone carving in Karnataka.
MADHYA PRADESH
The significance of stone carving at these sites is closely
related to preserving Buddhist history and promoting
Gautama Buddha's teachings.
UTTAR PARADESH
The significance of stone carving in Uttar Pradesh lies in its role in the
creation of these timeless masterpieces, which have earned global
recognition and admiration.
TAMIL NADU
Tamil Nadu temples depict a wide range of Hindu deities, mythological
scenes, and religious symbols. The carvings play a crucial role in religious
practises and worship by creating a sacred environment and enhancing
devotees' spiritual experiences. They are considered an essential part of
these practises. Stone carving is a time-honored tradition in Tamil Nadu
that has been handed down from one generation to the next for
centuries.
PROCESS

Tools and Raw Materials

Basic stone carving tools fall into five categories:
Percussion tools for hitting, such as mallets, axes, adzes, bouchards, and toothed hammers
Tools for rough shaping of stone to form a block the size needed for the carving These include feathers, wedges, and pitching
tools.
Chisels for cutting, such as lettering chisels, points, pitching tools, and claw chisels Chisels, in turn, may be handheld and
hammered or pneumatically powered.
Diamond tools, which include burrs, cup wheels, and blades mounted on a host of power tools, are sometimes used through the
entire carving process, from rough work to the final finish.
Abrasives for material removal, such as carborundum blocks, drills, saws, grinding and cutting wheels, water-abrasive machinery,
and dressing tools such as French and English drags

Stone carving involves the following key processes:

Dressing and rough work: artisans, Dressing is a process in which a stone is prepared for rough cutting. Material is given a specific
shape in which rough outline could be accommodated. This is done by the artisans, who are lowest in the hierarchy according to
skill.
Design: Product design is made based on the experience and understanding of artisans, depending on the desired final product.
Most of this is carried out by using traditional techniques such as hand-drawn drawings on concepts and drawing structures
from the actual ones on papers, sheets,etc.
Raw Material: The design is executed on the raw material selected from the range of soapstone (natural, grey, and white),
alabaster, white marble, sandstone, granite, etc.
Stone Cutting and Drilling: The stone is broken off into large portions of the rock to form the basic outline of the piece. The
surface is drilled to various depths, and unwanted material is removed. Finer detailing takes up the majority of the time spent
carving.
Sanding: Sanding is done on the structure to smooth the edges and remove all the file marks. This can be carried out manually
using sandpaper, or the same can be imposed on a smoothing plate.
Polishing: This is a stage in which the final gloss and texture are added to the sculpture or required architectural piece. It is purely
manual work, and little skill is required for it. Polishing is the result of shared labour, but some workshops employ young trainees
to do this work. These are broad categories of a production process, but the roles described are interchangeable, and when a
piece of work requires more labour to complete, trainees and stone dressers may also be employed.
Finishing: This part gives the final features to the rough-cut stone; it includes the work that gives the final character. The
ornamental features, such as eyes, nose, and mouth, are carved into stone. Because this is the most important step in creating a
sanctum idol, master craftsmen do this.
PROCESS
Stone carving involves the following key processes:

Shaping the stone: The rough and irregularly shaped stone is properly cut and shaped as per the required size. The big block of
stone is first cut evenly.

Marking the Design :- Sketch of the idol to be carved is marked on the surface of the stone. Stone is marked as per the required
measurements. Reference sketch is made before carving.

Rough Carving :- After sketching, rough carving is done to reveal the shape of the idol. The design is being marked on the flat
surface of granite stone. The marked design is highlighted with red oxide solution. Artisan initiates the carving as per the marked
design.

Detailed Carving :- The roughly shaped idol is beautifully embellished by doing detailed carvings. Depth is obtained by minute
and detailed carvings. Few other embellishments are made by chiselling.

Polishing :- The idol’s surface is smoothened by rubbing it with stone to get smooth texture. The outer surface is smoothened
after rough carving. Sandstone is rubbed on the surface of the idol to obtain a smooth surface. The idol is washed and coated
with Coconut or Castor oil, giving it its characteristic black colour and a smoother surface.
PRODUCTS: MOTIFS, DESIGNS AND COLOURS
STONE CARVING PRODUCTS IN INDIA

The classical tradition of stone carving was closely intertwined with architecture. The major temples in India, such as Puri, Konark,
Khajuraho, Kailash Temple, and the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, highlight the incredible tradition of Indian stone carvings.
The stone work in Varanasi exhibits a distinctiveness that sets it apart from other parts of India. Carving gets done on a soft stone
called gorara, which is sourced from the Hamirpur and Mahoba regions, instead of using hard marble. Gorara is unique because of its
unpredictable range of colours. When polished, mottled gorara reveals a beautiful range of shades, including grey, bright pink,
green, and black. The limited availability of gorara in small pieces restricts the size of its end products due to its softness. Bowls and
serving dishes are highly sought-after items. The fine quality of marble and sandstone extracted from the numerous quarries in the
state had given rise to a tradition of stonemasons and sculptors. The quarries at Makrana are quite famous, for it is from these
quarries that the marble used in the Taj Mahal was mined. Also built using marble from Makrana mines were the exquisite Dilwara
Jain temples at Mt. Abu. The red sandstone that the Mughals used to construct their forts and palaces at Agra, Delhi, and Fatehpur
Sikri is still available in Rupbas (near Agra) and Karauli.

STONE CARVING PRODUCTS IN MAHABALIPURAM

The temples of Mahabalipuram are renowned for their intricate carvings, which excellently highlight the mastery of stone carving as
both a decorative and devotional art form. The traditional craftsmen skillfully carve a variety of masterpieces depicting mythological
figures. These include human figures, images of gods and goddesses, idols for worship, animal figures, scenes from Hindu epics,
various poses of Lord Vinayaka, and mounts for deities. Lord Ganesh is occasionally called Lord Vinayaka. In addition, essential items
for the kitchen such as wet grinders, grinding stones, sculptures of notable individuals, and the letter Icon of Buddha are produced
as well. The magnificent sculptures portray the expertise of craftsmanship and also the stone carving history of Mahabalipuram.
Every aspect of stone carving is highly artistic and artistic-based. The basic stone is transformed into legendary pieces with elaborate
ornaments and elaborately detailed facial expressions. A few art pieces by Anand Aew MP Hades are interestingly made of stone
with Jali work.
Stones Used for Making Various Products
Limestone, sandstone, and marble are often used for making sculptures. Due to limestone’s fantastic weather-
resistant properties, many of the sculptures and buildings made out of this material thousands of years ago have been
preserved to this day. Soapstone is highly resistant to heat, and precisely for this reason, it has been traditionally used
for making carved cooking pots, pans, trays, and other household or functional items. Granite stone is very strong and
durable due to the high level of quartz content, so it is used for building columns, doors, and lintels for architectural
purposes. Gemstones like chalcedony, agate, amethyst, sard, onyx, carnelian, heliotrope, jasper, and quartz are used for
making jewellery pieces. Stones like Soapstone, Alabaster, marble, and Paleva are used for making decorative
showpieces of different shapes and sizes for home decor. Stones such as marble, alabaster, limestone, and granite are
the most popular materials used in the manufacture of god and goddess statues to create impressive sculptural
works.

Stone Carving Product Range

Household items include products like cooking pots, pans, trays, and khalbatta. Jewellery includes products like small
pendants, alphabet jewellery, rings, necklaces, temples, and other items made in different sizes and colours.
Sculptures include various sculptures present in museums, temples, and other monuments. Statues include statues of
different goddesses, deities, or personalities. Small decorations include products like candle stands, small elephants,
tortoises ashtrays, agarbatti stands, lanterns, a Lord Buddha face, and other decorative pieces.

Stone Carving Product Usage

The stone craft of ancient times mainly involved the carving of stones to make small weapons. Arrow heads, spears,
javelin points, and hammers are made out of stone. These tools were used both for hunting and cooking. As time
passed, stone carving evolved into a form of art. Traditionally, stone carving was used to make facades for cathedrals,
statues, and religious iconography. In modern times, stone carving products are also used for decorative purposes at
home. It is mostly used in temples, palaces, and for making decorative pieces.
Stone carvings are often used for decorative purposes, both indoors and outdoors. Decorative products like
customised pillars, Lanterns, Stone Water fountains, Full-body deities or portraits and water troughs Customised
pillars can also be architectural as well as decorative for household furnishing. Carved stone elements such as fireplace
surrounds, wall panels, and decorative accents can enhance the
ambiance of a space and create a luxurious and timeless appeal.
It also plays an important role in architectural design. Carved pillars, columns, capitals, and lintels are used in the construction of temples,
monuments, palaces, and other buildings.
In many cultures, stone sculptures and statues are considered sacred and are used to represent deities, gods, goddesses, and spiritual
beings. These carvings are placed in temples, shrines, and sacred spaces for worship and devotion.
They are often used to create memorials and monuments dedicated to individuals, historical events, or significant milestones. These can
include statues, plaques, and gravestones that are crafted with intricate carvings and inscriptions to commemorate and honour the subject.
Precious and semi-precious gemstones are also carved into delicate shapes for jewellery or larger items and polished to produce pendants,
earrings, bracelets, rings, and other wearable items. Carved stone bowls, vases, candle holders, and kitchenware are examples of functional
items that combine practicality with artistic beauty.

Stone Carving Products Packaging

When it comes to packaging stone carving products, the primary focus is on ensuring their protection during transportation and storage.
Padding materials such as foam, bubble wrap, or tissue paper are used to protect the product from impacts and vibrations. The padding is
placed around the product to create a cushioning effect. Depending on the size and shape of the stone carving product, it is necessary to
provide additional support and stability to the product. To hold the product firmly in place within the packaging box, custom-cut foam or
cardboard dividers are used. Strong and durable packaging boxes made of corrugated cardboard or rigid material are used to withstand the
weight of the stone carving product. The box is usually several inches larger than the product on all sides. The packaging box is securely
sealed with packaging tape to prevent it from opening during transit. Labelling of the package with necessary information such as the
recipient's address, return address, and any handling instructions or fragile labels is done. This helps the handlers be aware of the delicate
nature of the contents and handle the package with care. If the stone carving product is valuable or of significant importance, it is beneficial
to consider insuring the package against loss or damage during transit. Additionally, using a shipping service that provides tracking
capabilities allows the recipient to monitor the package's progress and ensure its safe delivery.
Motifs

Lotus
The symbol is commonly Nagas The
used as both a decorative The Tamil- Kirttimukha:
"Face of
motif and as a speaking Glory”
representation of the communities in Narasimha
Kirttimukha, also
supreme divinity of the southeast The Man-lion
referred to as the
deities. Therefore, its peninsula have a manifests his
'Glory Face'. This
portrayal carries tradition of divinity and
is commonly
significant importance in placing protects the life of
observed in
numerous cultures and Makara commemorative Varaha his devotee
connection with
religions. The lotus flower The makara snake stones, Kurma The Cosmic We get back to the
three elements:
is renowned for its motif holds known as The giant tortoise Boar retrieves concept of the sun
the lotus, the
remarkable ability to great nagakals, is one of the Ten the Earth from gods pursuing the
Naga, and
thrive in muddy waters, significance beneath trees. Antaras, or the Oceanic demons of
particularly the Goddesses
serving as a symbol of in iconic These stones are "descents," into Abyss. This darkness and
Makara. The Goddess of
purity and perfection. Indian art, now an integral the world by Lord specific negative energy in
design, although Groves, Earth,
architecture, part of temples Vishnu. It is manifestation this, Vishnu's
creatively and Water
and in the region. considered the of Vishnu is fourth descent.
combined, is Between the soil
decorative second descent, legendary
clearly inspired and the water,
arts. It is an and it serves as a because of the
by a lion's head, we may feel the
aquatic manifestation of reverence and
symbolising the ancient divinity
hybrid that is Lord Vishnu's love that
powerful known as the soil
known for its commitment to followers have
energies of the Goddess.
functional upholding dharma. for it.
sun.
volatility.
Designs
Prehistoric Stone Sculpture
Leaving aside the earlier but more controversial effigies and
the flat engravings seen in Palaeolithic rock art, the first
prehistoric sculpture in stone was the series of Venus figurines,
which began appearing across Europe about 30,000 BCE.
Chola Stone Sculpture
In South India, the Chola Empire ruled from around 850 CE to
1250 CE, and throughout that time, Chola art and architecture
underwent constant development and refinement. The
Amaravati architectural style was a major influence on the
Pallava dynasty, which is how the Cholas traditionally built
their temples.
Ancient Stone Sculpture
In both statues and reliefs, Egyptian sculpture
made full use of stone; examples include the
sandstone Statue of Akhenaten (about 1350 BCE)
and the greywacke Ps Ametek.
Pandyan Stone Sculpture
The Pandya monarchs, who had Madurai as their
capital, ruled South Tamil Nadu during the eighth
century. The Pallavas, who had their capital at
Kanchipuram, were at their peak during this time
period, producing spectacular rock-cut temples
and rock art.
Pallava Stone Sculpture
The two phases of architecture were the rock-cut
phase and the structural period. The Mahendra
group and the Mamalla group were two sets of
monuments that were part of the rock-cut period,
which lasted from 610 AD to 668 AD.
Modern Stone Sculpture
Among the contemporary stone carvers are
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827–1875), best
known for his delightfully animated Dance
(1865–79, Musee d'Orsay); Constantin Brancusi
(1876–1957), who created The Kiss (1907,
Kunsthalle, Hamburg); Jacob Epstein (1880–
1959), who produced the moving Adam (1938,
Harewood House); and the German
expressionist sculptor Wilhelm Lehmbruck
(1881–1919), who produced Kneeling Woman
Colours

Granite Grey, black, browns, reds, greens, blue-grey Very Hard

Limestone Grey, buff, variegated grey/buff Soft
Sandstone Buff, reddish brown, grey Medium to Hard
Marble White, greys, greens, reds, black, variegated Medium to Hard
Soapstone Greys, greens, and black Very Soft
Alabaster White, greys, beige, orange, yellows, and reds white translucent, variegate Very Soft