Elephine - Showpiece (Bidri Art)

About the Product

The art of Bidar is about inlaying silver or gold on black metal. Bidar work is a well-known handicraft of India brought into the country by Persian artists in the 14th and 15th century. It is a unique mix of Turkish, Persian, and Arabic intermingled with local styles. The major designs of Bidar are influenced by Mughal motifs, geometrical and floral patterns also a part of the tapestry.

About the Maker

The art of Bidar is about inlaying silver or gold on black metal. Bidar work is a well-known handicraft of India. It was brought to India in the 14th and 15th century by Persian artists who came to Bidar in Karnataka and trained Bidri artisans to create masterpieces for the Bahmani sultans and their families.

The technique of inlaying silver and gold on steel or copper on a black background involves four steps; melting the alloy, casting the article, engraving and inlaying the design, and oxidizing. Though the major designs are influenced by Mughal motifs, geometrical and floral patterns also a part of the tapestry.

The art form developed in India was a mix of Turkish, Persian, and Arabic intermingled with local styles. Thus was born a unique style of Bidar art in India.

The artisans say that the quality of the Bidri earth is very important and the real art lies in testing the mud before using it to create Bidri art. Legend has it that the mud is tasted (yes, the taste test) by the artisans before they use it. It is said that the soil of Bidar is very special and a great oxidizer. Others believe that the part of the fort from where soil is brought was a mint and therefore metal extracts in the soil make it unique.

These skills are found only in the people of Bidar because they are handed down from generation to generation. This tradition of highly-skilled and unique craftsmanship can be seen in products that are created with Mughal and star motifs, surai-type of vases in different shapes, hookahs, ugaldaans, boxes, zalabchis, and muqabas (round containers), to name a few.

Finally, it needs to be mentioned that everything in Bidar art is handmade, which makes it time-consuming, labour-intensive, and priceless.