Atelier · Bespoke Fabrication

Engravings

Precision stone engraving and surface relief carving — Arabic calligraphy, Islamic geometric patterns, figurative reliefs, and bespoke ornamental work for walls, floors, and architectural elements.

Stone engraving is the art of transforming a surface into a story — a permanent inscription in material that will outlast the generations that commissioned it.

Metamar's Atelier produces engraved stone panels, relief-carved architectural elements, and inscribed surfaces for the most demanding applications in contemporary Saudi architecture. Arabic calligraphy rendered in relief for a mosque's main entrance facade, a geometric muqarnas-inspired pattern carved across a reception hall floor, a figurative relief panel for a palace grand salon — each is produced by a combination of CNC precision and master hand-carving, working from your designer's approved artwork.

Engraving and relief carving in stone requires the intersection of digital precision and human craft. Our CNC routers establish the forms to within 0.5 mm of the final depth profile; our carvers refine the undercutting, textures, and transitions that give carved stone its life and shadow. The result is engraved work that carries the character of hand craftsmanship while achieving the dimensional consistency that architecture demands.

Capabilities & Options

01
Arabic Calligraphy

Quranic verses, Bismillah inscriptions, architectural dedications, and decorative calligraphic panels in Thuluth, Naskh, Kufic, and other scripts. Produced from calligrapher-approved artwork — each letterform checked before carving begins.

02
Islamic Geometric Patterns

Eight-point stars, sixteen-point rosettes, interlaced hexagons, arabesque lattices — the full vocabulary of Islamic geometric ornament, executed in low or medium relief across tiles, panels, and architectural surfaces.

03
Figurative & Floral Relief

Acanthus scrolls, palmettes, lotus friezes, naturalistic floral compositions. Produced for cornices, frieze panels, door surrounds, and decorative wall panels. Can incorporate fauna as specified.

04
Incised & V-Cut Engraving

Clean incised line engraving for inscriptions, border patterns, and linear geometric ornament. V-cut profiles catch light differently from relief carving — appropriate for flooring, threshold stones, and signage elements.

05
Deep Relief & Undercutting

High-relief sculptural carving where forms project significantly from the background surface and are undercut to create strong shadow lines. Appropriate for major architectural focal points — entrance portals, mihrab faces, ceremonial spaces.

06
Floor Medallions & Patterns

Engraved and relief-carved floor panels — star patterns, compass roses, inscribed medallions — produced as single panels or as assemblies of fitted tiles. Coordinated with the surrounding waterjet or mosaic layout as required.

Engravings in Executed Projects

Materials & Capabilities

Available StonesMarble · Limestone · Travertine · Onyx — Please consult for other stone formations
Relief DepthShallow (2–5 mm) · Medium (5–20 mm) · Deep (20–100 mm+)
Minimum Line Width3 mm CNC · 1.5 mm hand-carved undercut detail
Artwork RequirementVector artwork (DXF/AI/PDF) at final scale, approved by designer
Available FinishesHoned · Polished · Aged — Please consult for other finishes and details
Panel SizesUp to 3,000 × 1,500 mm per single panel · Larger works as fitted assemblies
ApplicationsMosque Facades & Interiors · Palace Walls · Government Buildings · Hotels · Memorials
LanguagesArabic (all scripts) · Latin · Persian · Any script from vector artwork

From Drawing to Delivery

01
Artwork & Design Approval

Client provides vector artwork or we work with your calligrapher/designer to produce it. A digital relief simulation is provided for approval — showing depth, shadow, and relief profile before any stone is cut.

02
Material Selection

Stone selection is critical for engraving — grain size, hardness, and colour uniformity all affect the quality of carved detail. We advise on the best stone for your specific engraving type and depth.

03
CNC Routing & Hand Carving

CNC establishes the primary form to within 0.5 mm of final depth. Hand-carvers then refine undercutting, transitions, letter serifs, and surface texture. A second inspection against artwork is carried out before finishing.

04
Finishing & Delivery

Backgrounds can be aged or sandblasted to contrast with polished or honed relief faces. Panels are photographed against artwork for quality record, then crated individually for safe delivery.

Atelier — Engravings

Discuss Your Project

Share your engraving artwork, panel dimensions, and stone preference with our Atelier team. We will advise on relief depth, material selection, and production timeline.