Metal
The art of creating a piece of utility or artistic item by the use of various metals. Though, iron in its various forms(cast iron, wrought iron, steel, etc.) is the most commonly used metal for utility products, Aluminum, copper and tin are not far behind. They many instances they are used in combinations as various alloys. The metal Gold occupies a very special place in the world of metallurgy and has been in use traditionally due to its availability in the pure form. Most extensive usage is the form of jewelry. Silver, copper and aluminum are also very widely used in the handicraft sector. Metals are used by the process of casting or molding. Sheets and wires of metals can easily be drawn due to the malleable and ductile quality and finds high application in the art and crafts.
Copper ware is a traditional craft of Maharashtra which is practised in Ambernath, Thana, Kalyan, and Nasik. The wide range of copper articles produced at the units here include perforated...
Aranmula is a small village near Chengannur in Kerala and is renowned for making a special type of metallic mirrors with bell metal, an alloy of copper and tin. It is believed that a divine...
Ghadwas are the crafts persons involved in casting bronze casting articles. These craftspersons are scattered all over the region. Jharas of Raigarh, Malars of Sarguja, Swarnakaras of Tikamgarh are...
Dhokra metal casting of Orissa is synonymous with the traditional craft of bell metal or brass. It is a typical tribal art form and practiced by tribal families. The dokhra metal casting craft is...
Metal-casting is done by the community of nomadic craftsmen called malhores who move from place to place collecting old brass scrap and casting images of gods and goddesses and other items such as...
Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh has highly skilled artists practicing the delicate craftsmanship of filigree. Spoons, buttons cigarette cases, boxes, ashtrays, buttons pill boxes, jewelry, paandans and...
The ironsmiths or lohars of Kondagaon village in Bastar have been engaged in iron craft for generations together and indulge in making of farm implements, lamps and other household objects. The...
The craft of Bidri or inlay on metal originated in Persia, the motifs are leaves and floral designs of Persian and Mughal art, executed with the delicacy as seen in Mughal designs. Today this unique...
This is a very time consuming craft but results in attractive items. Here the craft persons melt the old scrap and the collected molten is transferred into the moulds for shaping. Metal alloy is used...
The Fateh Kandal area in Jammu and Kashmir is known for copper vessels like milk containers, cooking pots, ladles with long handles, samovars for tea, hukka bases, water jugs or aftabas and...
Gujarat has ben wide range of brass objects made by the kansara community. The Khati Dablo is tiered, tapering dome-shaped round box with three legs and kotordan a large circular bowl with lid are...
Brass and copper take a special place in Goa. Traditionally it is used in the marriage ceremonies as well in other works. Copper vessels are gifted to girls in their marriages. Vessel called hando is...
Brass, copper and silver sheets are all used in crafting the articles. The product range includes utensils and art ware, hanging lamps, table tops, planters and plates. Sketches of the objects are...
The metals mainly used in Himachal Pradesh are brass, copper, iron, tin and bell-metal while the State itself is a treasure house of metal idols enshrined in temples, villages and home altars. Ritual...
Sagar, pranpur , Datia and Bastar are the craft centers for this tribal craft. Figures of the tribal deities such as Sitalamata, Kalikankalin, Mahadeo, Birabai and many more are made in the...
Metal craft of Manipur has not flourished to big trade and remains limited to local surroundings. There are number of metal items made apart from the regular ones. Artists here design products in...
The tribals of Meghalaya are skilled artists and the khasis (tribal community) tribals are famous for their artistry skills. Metal craft is practiced by very families and is carried out only by the...
The city of lush green fields and warriors display beautiful work of metal almost in every field. Locals have large hearts so are their utensils. Traditional utensils like thalis(thick broad plates),...
Varanasi, Etawah and Sitapur are the best places for metal utensils. Numbers of items from utensils to ritualistic items are made such as panch patras, tamrapatras , sinhasanas and many more. Icon...
The creation of the Tanjore metal plate is credited to Raja Serfoji II (1797-1832), the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur (or Tanjore), who asked his royal artisans to create an object that would reflect...
Thewa is a craft practised by a few craftsmen who specialise in the art of fusing filigreed gold sheets on to glass. The craft of thewa is still practised by hereditary craftspersons in the small...
Malhores, as the community is known as are the expert craftsmen. They move around in search of collecting old brass scrap and casting images of gods and goddesses
This is an age old craft and it is believed that it is almost 1,300years old. City of nawabs, Hyderabad is known for the coin metal items which are made of brass scrap. The scrap is moulded and...
Metal craft is a family craft and the skills are passed from one generation to the other. The temples and the churches are the witnesses of this ancient craft. Metal lamps, bells, candle stands, door...
In creating metalwork combination of copper, brass and white lead is used today. In the olden days gold and silver were to more added alloys. Karnataka have artisans practicing sheet metal craft and...
