{"id":4729,"date":"2025-12-10T14:04:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/?page_id=4729"},"modified":"2025-12-11T12:52:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T12:52:42","slug":"soap-stone-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/soap-stone-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Soapstone Carving"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Craft Name: Soapstone Carving<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Region: Agra, Jaipur, Mysuru, Mamallapuram, Puri<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

CRAFT
\nHISTORY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Where it comes from: Soapstone (steatite), a soft metamorphic rock rich in talc, has been used since Indus\u2013Saraswati Civilization and the Chalcolithic period. Archaeological findings such as seals, figurines, beads, and sculptures from the Shunga\u2013Maurya and Gupta periods demonstrate the continuity of soapstone craftsmanship in India. Historic temple complexes across Khajuraho, Jabalpur, and Udaipur also showcase its use.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

WHAT\nMAKES IT\nUNIQUE:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n \t
  • Extremely soft, smooth stone that allows highly detailed carving.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \"\"<\/figure>

    Received a
    GI tag in 2023<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    COLOURS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • Natural shades of grey, green-grey, off-white, pink, dark green<\/li><\/ul>

      How much time it takes to make a product:<\/strong>
      Depending on complexity, a soapstone piece can take 2\u201315 days for intricate jali, idols, figurines<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      MOTIFS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n
      • Floral:<\/strong> lotus, rosettes, vines<\/li>\n
      • Geometric:<\/strong> jali lattice, circles, zig-zags, chevrons<\/li>\n
      • Figurative:<\/strong> Hindu and Jain deities, Buddha, elephants, peacocks<\/li>\n
      • Symbolic:<\/strong> conch, kalash, sun, moon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t

        RAW MATERIAL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n
        • Soapstone \/ steatite blocks <\/li>\n
        • Sandpaper<\/li>\n
        • Natural wax or oils for finishing<\/li>\n
        • Adhesives <\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t

          CRAFT MAKING PROCESS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Soapstone\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t

          HOW TO IDENTIFY GENUINE AND AUTHENTIC CRAFT:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
            \n
          • Texture: <\/strong>Real soapstone feels smooth, silky, and “soapy” due to high talc content. <\/li>\n
          • Colour: <\/strong>Genuine soapstone ranges from grey to green-grey or charcoal; pure white soapstone does not exist. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
              \n
            • Non-porous: <\/strong>Does not react to acids\u2014vinegar will not etch or stain real soapstone. <\/li>\n
            • Scratch test: <\/strong>Authentic soapstone can be lightly scratched with a metal object. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Craft Name: Soapstone Carving Region: Agra, Jaipur, Mysuru, Mamallapuram, Puri CRAFT HISTORY Where it comes from: Soapstone (steatite), a soft metamorphic rock rich in talc, has been used since Indus\u2013Saraswati Civilization and the Chalcolithic period. Archaeological findings such as seals, figurines, beads, and sculptures from the Shunga\u2013Maurya and Gupta periods demonstrate the continuity of soapstone […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4729","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4729"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6341,"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4729\/revisions\/6341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aiacaonline.org\/craftkatha-pop-up\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}