Handmade in India

NAQQASHI - ENGRAVING
Production Clusters
Gali Dhobiyan Bazaar
Delhi Gate
Products
Lota-ritual vessel
Ghoda-pot used for
water
Patila-cooking utensil
Kadhai-utensil used
for deep frying
Plates, Glasses
Hookah
Surahi-narrow necked
pot
Bowls
Tools
Hathodi-hammer
Kalaam-chisel
Kattia-scissor
Mogri-wooden
hammer
Samba-round tipped
Chisel
Patti-stencil used for
leaf pattern
Buffling Machine
METAL SHEETS,MOST commonly brass,are cut and beaten to
created the form of the desired object.The base and the body of the
vessel are made separately and then soldered together.The soldered
joints are beaten with a hammer and the surface is scraped.The
object is frequently heated in the furnace to keep the metal soft;it is
also repeatedly beaten with a mogri, wooden hammer,in order to
remove all the dents on the surface.A recipe of lac,buroza(a gum
made from rice),powdered brick and mustard oil is made and heated
until a viscous solution is obtained.This thick paste is poured into
the metal object and allowed to solidify for 5 to 6 hours.The lac
ensures that the utensil does not get punctured during the engracing
process when it receives multiple blows from the chisels and
hammers employed to create patterns on the object`s surface.After
the naqqashi is completed,the engraved object is heated so that the
lac may be poured out of the utensil.The left-over lac stuck at the
edges of the utensil is burnt in the furnace and the engraved utensil
is then beaten from within to remove all dents.
Finally,the utensil is burnished with a buffing machine.Widely
used in Muslim households,naqqashi objects are usually
patterened with floral motifs
1. An engraved bowl further ornamented with enamel
work.
2. An engraved lac-coloured container shaped like a veena.
3. A scroll holder with intricate cutwork.
4. An engraved silver container.
5. Detail of an engraved peacock motif;its outspread
plumage forming the central motif on the lid of the
container.
6. A brass container embellished with repousse and
engraving.
ZARDOZI-GOLD EMBROIDERY
Production
Clusters
New Delhi
Products
Salwaar kameezpants
and tunic
Lehenga choligathered
skirt &
blousde
Ghagra-gathered
skirt
Sari-draped cloth
Achkan-men`s
coat
Handbags
Shoes,Scarves
Christmas
decorations
Furnishing
Curtains,
Lampshades
Bed covers,
Pillow covers
Animal Trapping
Tools
Karchappa-big
frame
Ari-hooked
needle
THE NAME ZARDOZI,like the craft itself,is of Persian origin.Although
it literally means gold-work,the term refers to the use of gold,silver metal
wires,cords,purls and sequins,which are couched (by sewing) on
expensive fabrics.It was probably brought to India by the Mughals and
was used to make costumes of the members of court, wall hangings,the
sidewalls of the royal tents and the trappings of the elephants and horses
used by the emperor.During Aurangzeb`s region,royal patronage to
artists and craftsmen ceased and the royal ateliers were shut
down.Consequently,many craftsmen migrated to the neighbouring
kingdoms of Rajasthan,Punjab and Gujarat to look for new patrons.The
advent of industrialization adversely affected the craft and it was
gradually dying out when concerted efforts to revive it begun.Today,the
fashion and garment export industry make extensive use of zardozi to
embellish their products;the large demand for this form of embroidery
has led to the replacement of the needle used for couching with an ari or
hooked needle.
Two forms of Zardozi are practiced;the zardosa-elaborate work
done on products like heavy coats,cushions,curtains,animal
trappings and shoes with heavy silk,velvet or satin as base
fabrics;and the kamdani-lighter needle work done on
lightweight materials that are used as scarves.
A fabric embroidered in a combination of zari and zardozi.