Handmade in India

BIDRI WARE
BIDRI IS A specialized and refined technique using
complicated sequences of inlay and enamelling found only
in India that follows in essence the techniques of the Persian
way of inlaying gold and silver on steel or copper.It involves
four distinct processes-casting,engraving,inlaying and
finishing.The principle of sandcasting is integral to the
manufacture of bidri ware. Once the object is made and
smoothened with sandpaper and blackened,a kalam is used
to chisel the required design,and then strands of silver wire
are hammered into these grooves.If the design is chiselled
into larger patterns,small pieces of silver and brass cut out
from sheets are pressed in. A black colour is given to the
surface and rendered permanent by rubbing it with a mixture
of earth and ammonium chloride after heating it
slightly.When burnished with oil,the inlay is revealed.Bidri
uses a rust-proof and non-corrosive metal alloy which is
believed to be an ingenious innovation introduced at Bidar.
This form of decoration is often worked on round containers
such as bowls,as well as caskets,jewellery boxes and other
small boxes and includes delightful combination of fine lattice
work interspected with floral clusters,leaves and flowers.There
are two principle techniques-tarkashi(inlay of wire) and
tehnishan(inlay of metal sheets).
1. Detail of a box with lotus motifs.
2. Detail showing bidri work on the lid of a box.
3. Shell and turtle-shaped containers.
4. Lid of a box.A wide range of boxes of different sizes and
shapes are made in bidri work.
5. Tools used to make silver wire.
Production Clusters
Aurangabad
district:
Aurangabad
Products
Box
Flower vase
Thukdani-spittoon
Hookah
Umarkhayamcontainer
Surahi-wine container
Keychain
Animal statues
Ashtray
Paper cutter
Tools
Moulding frames
Furnaces
Files
Takaychi kalam-long
sharp tool
Kornechi kalamengraving
tool
Hammer
METAL DIES AND METAL CASTING
METAL DIES THAT are used for casting objects in bulk
have the exact size and design of the articale to be cast.In
Jalgaon,the metal used for making dies is an alloy of bronze
and silver,which gives more plasticity.The dies here usually
have geometric patterns and the technique of sandcasting is
significant to production.They are now used for casting
jewellery,idols and brands logos for companies.This craft
that was hereditary to families who made dies for coins and
gold jewellery under royal patronage,is now dwindling.
1. A metal die for a figure of a local goddess.
2. Die with interesting animal motifs.
3. Die for an ornamental piece.
4. Dies with calligraphic and decorative motifs.
5. Die for an ornamental piece.
Production Cluster
Jalgaon district:
Parola
Products
Dies
Tools
Moosh-furnace
Ghatia-small hammer
Hathodi-big hammer
Sumbhra-nail to draw
Embossing tools:
Kalam,Nakhola,
Chhini,kirki,Gahra
neri,Gol dand,
surjmukhi
Patti ka kampascompass
Chhar-driller