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Home » Types of Crafts » Metal Craft

Metal Craft

Metal CraftMetal craft is an art form that has been passed down the generations from a long period of time. It is important type of handicraft that has flourished in India with its excellent artistry and exquisite work. The royal metal wares and the beautiful ornamentations in metal artefacts have always won the hearts of all with their intricate work and style.

What is Metal Craft?
Metal craft is an art of manufacturing attractive range of decorative objects using variety of metals like bronze, copper, aluminum, iron, epns, silver, sterling silver, steel and wrought iron. Using these metals, a variety of products can be produced like statues, sculptures, furniture, fences, gates, vases and many other objects.

History
Indians were involved with metal craft more than 5000 years back. Infact Indian craftsmen had mastered the art of metallurgy long time back and this is evident by the beautiful images of the dancing girl from Mohanjodaro. It is said that the metal craft was largely developed during the Chola period. Mythological figures, sculptures of deities, weapons were made of metal, besides pots, pans, utensils, photo frames etc. The ancient craftsmen had used the lost wax process in making pots and sculptures. Different metals like iron, copper, silver and alloys like bronze, bell metal, white metal and the like were used and are even used today to produce different metal artefacts. Today, metal craft is an integral part of the Indian ethos and culture.

Prominent Places of Metal Crafts
In modern India, metal craft is widespread in places like as follows:
  • The Ladakh area of Kashmir: Famous for traditional vessels made out of iron and brass

  • Moradabad: Famous for utilitarian brassware.

  • Jodhpur: Famous for handcrafted iron and aluminum shields and trophies

  • Jaipur: Famous for chased, engraved, lacquered, enamelled, and encrusted metalware.

  • Rajasthan: Famous for silver work

  • Orissa: Dhokra metal casting of Orissa

  • Andhra Pradesh: Making of various Hindu deity in Bronze is ancient and traditional.

  • Gujarat: Famous for copper coated iron bells and chimes etc.
Types of Metal Craft
Metal Ornamentation
Metal ornamentation implies the artistic way of inlaying, overlaying, appliqué, fixing of colors on metal objects. The beauty of metal crafts is enhanced with ornamentation. Metal ornamentation is seen in vases, picture frames, bells, chimes besides jewelry.

Bidri
Bidri represents surface ornamentation. Originated in the city of Bidar situated north-west of Hyderabad, this art form flourished in the late medieval period (17th to 19th century). Bidri art form in black colors, which never fades and is coated with gold and silver inlays and coverings. Bidri craft is seen in flower vases, jewelry boxes, cigar cases, key chains, paper weights, cuff links, and paper knives etc. Today Hyderabad and Bidar account for the majority of bidri crafts in India.

Enameling/Meenakari
Enameling is the process of applying colors and ornamenting the metal surface by fusing over it different mineral substances. The art of decorating metal with enameling is known as Meenakari in India. The range of colors that can be applied on gold is much greater than that on copper, silver and brass. Colors like red, green and white are prevalent in the art of enameling. Bikaner, Udaipur, Pratapgarh, Delhi, Varanasi are important centers for meenakari designs in India.

Tarakashi
An ancient form of art, this represents the silver filigree work of Cuttack. Beaten silver is transformed fine wires and foils which are then fashioned together to create silver products of infinite beauty. Tarakashi craft works as seen in jewelry, anklets, vases, statues display a silvery light glimmer with a sheen of purity. The craft is renowned for its unparalleled intricacy.

Some noteworthy metal crafts of India
  • Aranmula Metal Mirror of Kerala
  • Art Metalware of Rajasthan
  • Brass, Bronze & Metal Utensils of Andhra
  • Copper Coated Iron Bells of Gujarat
  • Carved Knives & Nut Crackers
  • Charakku/Cauldron Casting of Kerala
  • Iron Craft of Chattisgarh and Rajasthan
  • Metal Casting of Kerala, Sikkim, Karnataka
  • Dhokra Metal Casting of Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa
  • Metal Bells & Lamps of Tamil Nadu
  • Metalware of Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh,
  • Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
  • Suri/Measuring Bowls of West Bengal
  • Swords of Rajasthan
  • Silver Filigiri Work of Andhra Pradesh
  • Tanjore Metal Plates of Tamil Nadu
  • Tribal Bell & Ghungrus of Jharkhand
All these give a glimpse of rich Indian art and craft.

Metal Craft Artefacts Types of Mmetal Used




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