Bell Metal Craft

Description
The artisans had mastered the art of metallurgy long back. Metal craft is an integral part of the Indian ethos: pots, utensils, vessels, tools, weapons etc have been made out of different metals. Bell metal is one of the most popular type of metal used for manufacturing crafts.

In its simplest form, bell metal crafts are crafts carved out of bell metal. Bell metal is a form of bronze. It is a hard alloy used for making bells. Bell metal ore is a sulfide of copper, tin, and iron. A hard alloy used for making alloys which resembles bronze a lot. This metal has been artistically molded to give rise to distinguished work of art bringing forward the celestial beauty & sophistication of the creatively rich Indian craft and art. Researches discovered that metal alloys have been in use for art crafts in India for ages. Bell metals are used in manufacturing of variety of items both for utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. Bell metal work is differentiated by flowery and advanced designs, delicacy and finish. Bell metal craft went forward to fascinate the art lovers with their breathtaking designs & beautifully captured the lost patterns.

Prominent places
Kerala is originative place of the art of Bell metal. This amazing metal craft is applied extensively for producing items meant for both utility & aesthetic purposes. People of Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal & Assam are expertise for their Bell Metal products. In West Bengal, and Orissa, bell metal is locally called kansa and is mainly used for the manufacturing utensils. In Madhya Pradesh, bell metal casting is essentially a tribal craft, exercised by non-tribals in Bastar, Pranpur, Datia and Sagar, originally for the necessities of tribals alone. Bihar was known throughout the world for its contribution to Bell metal crafts. History says that two artists named Dhiman and Vithpal who spread the art of bell metal to people of different countries. Balakati in Bhubeshewar is famous for bell metal utensils.

Manufacturing process of bell metal crafts
The bell metal crafts are carved through the cire-perdue process. The essence of the figure is roughly shaped in clay. Instead of setting on the wax in an even thickness, thin wax threads are first made and then arranged over the core so as to form a network or placed in parallel lines or diagonally, according to the form of the figure. The head, arms and feet are postured in the ordinary way. The wax threads are made by means of a bamboo tube which is fitted with a moveable brass plate at the end. The wax made is soften with the help of heat. It is then pressed through the hole at the end of tube and oozes out in the form of long treads, which must be used by the workmen before they become hard and brittle.

The formation of an object is done either by beating the sheet metal with a hammer to the approximate shape while heating. The beating process is frequently opted for bell metal and copper to make the object more indestructible. It can also be submitted to further tempering for strengthening, by heating the article red hot and suddenly dipping in cold water. If it turns black in the process, it is regenerated by light hammering. There is also the turning process done on the shaping machine, often worked by a string. The part of the article to be turned is fixed to the outer end of the machine by gum. As the lathe rotates, the chisel is applied to the part requiring turning. It not only cuts away the unwanted bulk but also smoothens the article by scraping and brushing. Bonding is done by using a metal alloy which the artisan himself prepares where articles are manufactured in several pieces which have to be joined together to form a composite whole. After this, polishing is done by energetic rubbing, either by hand or by feet if it is plate, using a rag.

A mould made of clay mixed with husk is made of the object to be cast, which is then dried and polished, wrapped in a cover of delicately melted bee wax wires. When the wax is finally melted, several coatings of clay are applied and dried until the clay mould gets leather hard, after which the wax is melted out. The molten metal is then poured into the evacuated replica chamber while the mould is kept red hot. The article is then ready. The artisans are very precise in their work and follow their technique meticulously.

Raw materials
It is well known that the bell metal alloy consists of 77% copper and 23% tin apart from requiring the basic raw materials to manufacture the artifacts which are :

• Jute fibers
• Rice bran
• Mustard oil
• Clay
• Charcoal
• Lac

Lac is required for applying a polish on the finished up product which is clay. To make the container essential for melting the scrap, jute fiber & bran are used & the mustard oil is needed to smoother the interior of the molds.

Bell metal products
Metal used for formation of tribal deities are given extreme importance in the religious tribal world. Besides these, the metal is metamorphosed into attracting designs to other vital stuffs such as utensils, ornaments and home furnishing materials easily shaped in inconceivable shapes & sizes. Bell metal is applied for producing artifacts of varied nature. Figurines & abstract images mostly figure in these lists.
Picture frames: Wide range of exclusive photo and picture frames are manufactured out of bell metal. They are popularly known for their durability and eye-catching appeal.

• Jewelry boxes: Amazingly designed jewelry boxes are available in bell metal for storing your valued earrings, pendants, necklaces, rings, watches and bracelets.
  
  
• Bells and chimes: Bell metal chimes require less maintenance, they need no painting and are devoid of rusts. They are durable and lasts for many years.
  
  
• Baskets: Bell metal baskets are beautifully crafted and used for both utility purpose or for decorative piece and require negligible maintenance.
  
  
• Agarbatti stands: Exclusive range of agarbatti stands are available in this category of bell metal crafts. The agarbatti stands may have holes to hold the sticks, and/or a vessel to hold cones or other forms of agarbatti.
  
  
• Lamps: Bell-metal casting is an old time industrial art. It has involved into many kinds of activities. Different types of lamps made out of copper, bronze, brass, bell metal are used for commitment to various purposes. Lamps can be multi-layered and are noted for their high degree of perfection.
  
  

Other bell metal products
Apart from these, bell metal is also applicable in the manufacturing of various figures of tribal deities, votive lamps, peacocks, chameleons, cobras, deer, horses, human beings, musicians, bowls, ornamental chain, lime jars, floor stands, figures of riders and elephant, candle stands, sindhur dan, vermilion box, kalash , sarai , tray, kahi , a dish, tal, musical instrument , shields, swords, daggers, swords, hilts pan boxes etc.