Bidriware developed in India during the 13th century under the patronage of Ahmad Shah Wali, the Sultan of Bahamani Kingdom. He had invited some artisans from Iran to decorate his palace. Impressed by their work, the Sultan decided to impart training to local artists in the art and since this happened in
Bidar, the craft earned the name bidriware.
Copper and zinc in the proportion of 1:16 are the metals used in Bidriware. A separate cast is made for each bidriware and for this a mould is formed from ordinary soil. The soil is made malleable with resin and castor oil and the molten alloy is then poured into it. Files and scrapers are used to smooth the piece obtained. It is rubbed with a copper sulphate solution. This is done to obtain a temporary black coating, which helps to carve the design. The designs are drawn using a sharp metal stylus and the designs are later engraved. Into the engraved groves pure silver in the form of wire or chips is hammered. It is smoothened till the whole surface gets a silvery white look.
A paste made out of a particular soil, ammonium chloride and water is rubbed onto the heated bidri surface. The paste darkens the body of the article. It does not tamper the silver inlay. Oil is rubbed to deepen the matt coating.
