Metalware

Bidriware is a flourishing handicraft of Bidar, North Karnataka. The craft of Bidriware was introduced in Bidar by a Persian artisan Abdulla-bin-Kaiser, who was among a group of skilled workers brought from Iran by Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali Bahamani in the early 5th century. Abdulla's expertise in this exquisite craft impressed the Sultan to such extent that he arranged for the training of local craftsmen in bidriware handicraft in the Mahmud Gawan madrasa.

The malhar and Tentri communities of Jharkhand are expert in the metal crafts and household wares.

The old city abounds with shops where objects of copper line the walls, the floor and even the ceiling made generally for the local market. Craftsmen can often be seen engraving objects of household utility - samovars, bowls, plates and trays.

Floral, stylized, geometric, leaf and sometimes calligraphic motifs are engraved or embossed on copper, and occasionally silver, to cover the entire surface with intricate designs which are then oxidized, the better to stand out from the background. The work known as 'Naqash' determines the price of the object, as does the weight.

In a land where religion rules daily life, worship is bound to be an elaborate process. Temples are replete with pretty objects needed for worship, all fine specimens of metalwork.

The metals used mainly are brass, copper, iron, tin and bell metal. Apart from the exquisite statuettes enshrined, there are several metal objects like bells with artistically designed handles, lamps, incense burners, low settees of silver or brass, vessels and ornate musical instruments in these temples.

In fact, the common lota (a small globular pot for storing water) itself is available in so many different forms all over the state that it’s amazing. Similar things may be used as everyday items at home.

One of the popular craft of the region is items in Brass and Iron. These items are best found at former princely state of Saurashtra and Kutch. The items available here are fine beetle nut crackers, copper coated iron bells, knives and cutlery. These are made by descendents of the erstwhile court sword smiths and jewelers. Brass items are also manufactured at a large scale here. The brass industry of Jamnagar is one of the largest in India. The items offered here are brass and iron utensils, cutlery, knives and scissors. One of the best places to buy such stuff is Anjar.

Brass items are very famous with tourists especially samais. This craft is available in plenty in the markets of Goa.

While utensils of utility are made of sheet metal (copper), brass metal casting is a craft passed on from one generation to another practiced on hereditary basis. The items produced include oil lamps in various designs, candle stands, temple towers, church bells, ashtrays, etc.

It is an indegenious Bastar tribal craft made by black smiths.

The Bell Metal Handicraft is a metal casting technique and believed to be to oldest one. This craft belongs to the primeval times of the Mohenjodaro and Harrappa since the metal objects used in the preparation of the products are akin to that of the earliest civilizations.

Some areas where Bell Metal Handicraft is most widely practiced are the areas of Lalitpur, Raigarh and Sarguja. The Ghadwa community of Chhattisgarh is known to be the expert in this particular craft. Many products are made from such art such as vessels, jewellery and the images of the local deities. The method of preparation of the products is quite simple and also called as the lost wax technique that happens to be perfect for the tribal settings.

The brass work of Bihar is a continuation of the brass craft dome in pre-historic ages. But this form of art was at its peak during Mauryan and again during Gupta and Pala period. It has been confirmed from many archeological excavation sites like Nalanda and Rajgir. Even now artists of Bihar are very skillful in making images of god/goddesses, utensils, iron pitchers and other household utility articles with great fineness.

Metal craft comprises of one of the oldest cottage industries of Assam. These products are famous all over India and can be found in almost every Assamese household. Famed for their unique artistic skills, the local artists and craftsmen of the state are mainly involved in designing brass and bell metal utensils. Apart from these two metals, gold, silver and copper can also be used to make different handicrafts in Assam. However, gold and silver products were mainly used during the days of royalty, i.e. the reigns of the Ahoms kings, but now they are used only in making jewelry. However, a rich collection of such products is still found in the State Museum at Guwahati.