Coconut Shell Carving of West Bengal

The craft of coconut shell carving of Bankura district of West Bengal began as a variation of the infamous conch shell carving from the same region. During the 1980’s there was a sudden scarcity in the supply of conch shells in West Bengal, as a result their prices soared. To sustain themselves and to keep the craft alive the craftsperson’s then adapted their skills to carve coconut shells and also wood apple shells. They are also exploring some cheaper options, for instance pumpkin shells and fish scales. The tools and techniques used in the craft of conch shell carving are employed in the craft of coconut shell carving too. The products made from this craft range from teapots to bangles and ornaments, and from bowls to replicas of terracotta temples of Bishnupur.