Bidri
The art of Bidri according to some historians may have its origins traced to
Damascus in Syria. It was a form of ornamentation practised by goldsmiths there
for inlaying fine gold wire into intricately carved channels on the surface of
different metals. This method of effecting a mechanical adhesion between two
dissimilar metals is commonly refered to as ‘damascening’. The art was very
popular for decorating the weapons of valour such as swords, daggers, lances and
shields among the Arab warriors as it added a sense of beauty and
irresistibility to what was then an unstoppable expansion of the empire.
It was introduced into India to craftsmen in Kashmir and Punjab, during the Moghul era, but after some time it lost its allure, and found itself anew home in Bidar of present day Karnataka, which was then an area under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Here silver was used in place of gold. Hence the art takes the name Bidri, from the last place (Bidar) where the art was known to thrive.
The present day art of Bidri uses for its base one of several metals such as copper, tin or lead which is blackened through a chemical treatment with copper sulphate. Upon this black surface an intricate design is scored and channelised, and the silver is then ground into it. Then the item is sand papered and buffed and a second chemical treatment using sal ammoniac and potassium nitrate is done. This has the distinct effect of turning the base metal into a jet black colour. Finally a wash and polish using oil is done and the result is a scintillating silver pattern contrasted against the dark matt background. It is this contrast that lends Bidri a uniqueness that no other metalware could possibly claim.