Period of Origin: 1422 AD — Ahmed Shah Bahamani era
Artisan Community: Bidri Craftsmen of Bidar
GI Category: Handicraft
The soil found at the Bidar fort exhibits magical oxidizing properties, it turns zinc, a white metal into sheer black-ware, while intricate patterns inlaid with pure silver retains its original color.
This Bidriware Silver Inlay Mandala Pendant is handcrafted at Bidar, Karnataka.
About Bidriware:
Bidriware is a craft exclusive to Bidar, the 16th-century capital town of Bhamani Sultan.
The Bidri Art strikes attractive features of Black Background with an Inlay of Silver.
Bidri Craft is an alloy of zinc, copper, and other non-ferrous metals.
Pretty designs are carved on it and after that, thin silver wires are hand etched on a Zinc-based metal.
It is then dipped in a solution prepared with the Soil available only around the Bidar fort.
The soil found at the fort of Bidar exhibits magical oxidizing properties.
It turns zinc, a white metal into sheer black ware, while pure silver inlay retains its original color.
The zinc alloys turn into a lustrous black so that inlaid silver contrasts stunningly with the dark background.
Bidriware is a famous Silver Art of Bidar District, Karnataka and it was introduced in Bidar about 400 years ago by King Ahmed Shah Wali Bhamani. This special type of work is called “Damascening in Silver”. Its name derived from “Bidar”; the art was encouraged by Nizams. The contrast between the black oxidized background and lustrous silver inlay gives a beauty to the Bidriware. The craft follows both traditional and modern designs.
Bidriware has been Conferred with the Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Government of India in 2006 with GI Number 21.
Cleaning Instruction:
Apply a few drops of coconut oil on the item surface and clean with a cotton cloth.
