Shahnai Vase - Star Bidri work

This Shahnai Vase with star bidri work will create a sophisticated aura in the living room. Striking silver against a deep, dark black, one that does not fade with time. These defining characteristics of bidriware from Bidar, Karnataka in Southern India bears testimony to the fine craftsmanship involved in creating this metal inlay work.

This beautiful craft, with its 500 year old history, continues to be centered around the soil of Bidar used in its creation. Artisans lay special emphasis on the quality, often determining it by placing the soil on their tongue, a skill passed from one generation to the next.

This product is made by eight-stage manufacturing process. Casting of base structure from an alloy of copper and zinc metal (in the ratio 1:16) then smoothening of cast part by a file and the process of designing by chisels. The casting is further coated with a strong copper sulphate solution to gain a temporary black coating & freehand designing by engraving on it through small chisels & hammer.

Pure silver wire or sheet inlaying in engraved portion of casting & silver inlaid part smoothening again by buffing and finally oxidizing (to make it black) of silver inlaid casting by baking it in liquid mixture of Bidar soil and ammonium chloride. During this oxidising process, only casting becomes black & pure silver remains shining!