Not currently on display at the V&A

Box and Cover

17th century (made)
Place of origin

This box and cover was probably made in the Deccan in the 17th century and belongs to a class of metalwares known as "bidri". Bidri is a technique known only in the Indian subcontinent, and takes its name from the city of Bidar, in the present-day state of Karnatika, where it is thought to have originated. Surviving pieces date from the late 16th or early 17th century, and it is still being made today. Bidri objects are cast from an alloy in which zinc predominates, though small amounts of lead, copper and tin may also be found. The decoration may be inlaid with silver, or silver and brass, as here (though much of the original decoration has been lost), or overlaid with silver wires hammered onto a cross-hatched surface. The final stage of the process is to apply a saline mud paste over the entire surface which changes the dull grey of the alloy to a matt black without affecting the decoration. The exact chemical process which takes place is still unidentified. After removal of the mud paste, the surface of the piece would be rubbed with oil.


Object details

Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Lid
  • Box
Materials and techniques
bidri
Physical description
The octagonal box has a low domed cover with chamfered sides and a flat octagonal platform at the top. The decoration in the form of sun rosettes is damaged, but was originally inlaid with silver and brass.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.2cm
  • Width: 14.5cm
Object history
Bought for the South Kensington Museum by Caspar Purdon Clarke for 6s as being from Bidar, 17th century
Summary
This box and cover was probably made in the Deccan in the 17th century and belongs to a class of metalwares known as "bidri". Bidri is a technique known only in the Indian subcontinent, and takes its name from the city of Bidar, in the present-day state of Karnatika, where it is thought to have originated. Surviving pieces date from the late 16th or early 17th century, and it is still being made today. Bidri objects are cast from an alloy in which zinc predominates, though small amounts of lead, copper and tin may also be found. The decoration may be inlaid with silver, or silver and brass, as here (though much of the original decoration has been lost), or overlaid with silver wires hammered onto a cross-hatched surface. The final stage of the process is to apply a saline mud paste over the entire surface which changes the dull grey of the alloy to a matt black without affecting the decoration. The exact chemical process which takes place is still unidentified. After removal of the mud paste, the surface of the piece would be rubbed with oil.
Bibliographic reference
Susan Stronge, Bidri Ware, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1985, cat. 16, p. 53
Collection
Accession number
IS.2066-1883

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Record createdMay 15, 2008
Record URL
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