What is khatamkari?

Khatamkari is a traditional Persian art of inlaying. The craft of inlaying, called khatamkari, is done by decorating the surface of small wooden articles with pieces of wood, bone and metal like copper, silver, and brass. The inlaying articles made of various shapes like star, polygon, or straight shapes. Khatamkari was originally invented to decorate the royal palaces and holy shrines in Persia and then spread to the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.

The word "khatam" means "sealing, stamping" in Persian, and "kari" means "craftsmanship." Khatamkari puts together several geometric shapes to create a pictorial design. After drawing the design, the craftsmen cut the pieces of different types of wood, bone, and metal. The pieces are then assembled to create the final design. The designs are traditionally stars, polygons, and straight lines but the designs are increasingly varied.

Khatamkari is considered a prestigious art form in Iran and several boom times of Khatamkari has throughout Persian history. Most Khatamkari pieces are functional objects such as boxes, picture frames, and decorative wall art. Today, the best place to find Khatamkari-made items is in the city of Shiraz.