From ancient times, India has been a land of arts and crafts. Various art forms have evolved in metallic and non-metallic materials here. Stone work is also one of such wonderful crafts.
India has a rich tradition of stonecraft. Guilds of masons and stone carvers have existed here since the 7th century B.C. Different types of stones like, marble, soapstone, sand stone are used by craftsmen in India. Stone craft in India is not only restricted to ornate carvings on temples or sculptures of deities,
but it is also used in making items like carved panels, tiles, paper weights, pen stands, models of historical buildings, sculptures of animals and humans etc. The basic design is traced on the stone and it is given a crude shape. The final carving is then carried out and the items are polished.
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