Bidri ware

Bidri is a decorative metal object, ornamented with a type of Indian inlay work made from tin, copper, lead, and zinc, and is made at Bidar,
India. It's an old Deccani name(Hyderabadi), when Bidar was part of Hyderabad Deccan.

History

This ancient and beautiful craft of Bidar, entered India more than 4000 years ago from the culture-rich Persians, The Art and skill was fully developed in India. However The skilled artisans were brought from Persia by the Bahamani kingdom. since the raw materials required are only available in India.

Syrians and Iranians. Bidri craftsmen were patronized in the Mughal courts and settled to practice their craft in the fortress town of Bidar in Karnataka, hence the name. They are also made at Lucknow and Murshidabad. It originated with the ornamentation of royal swords and other weapons, and was later applied to domestic use articles like cigar and cigarette boxes.

The Art and skill was fully developed in India. However The skilled artisans were brought from Persia by Bahamani kingdom, since the raw materials required are only available in India.Fact|date=September 2008

The Making

Behind the breathtaking beauty of Bidri lies hours of painstaking effort by the artisan. The original technique involved the inlaying of gold or silver on a steel or copper base. This method had its origins in Persia.

However, the metal used for the base today is an alloy of zinc and copper. The content of zinc gives the alloy a deep black color. It is engraved or overlaid with silver or brass. After casting and moulding, the surface is filed smooth until it acquires the typical Bidri sheen. It is then temporarily blackened with copper sulphate solution and etched into a traditional design using a sharp iron tool. Silver wire or sheets are beaten into the designed grooves, making it stand out like the stars in the night sky. During the final oxidation process, the shiny surface is briefly heated and rubbed with a thick paste of ammonium chloride. The chemical is supposedly mixed with a special clay from the walls of the Bidar Fort. The final step is using groundnut or coconut oil to polish each item, which may be a vase, bangle, bracelet, goblet, ashtray, plate, Jewellery or box.

Gallery

References

*Nuttall

Further reading

* "Bidri Ware: Inlaid Metalwork from India" By Susan Stronge ISBN 090520963X
* "National Museum Collection Bidri Ware" by Krishna Lal - 1990 National government publication; Government publication;Bidri ware (India, New Delhi); National Museum of India