Technique??

TCole · 17th June 2016, 12:11 AM

I am unsure of what this technique is. It appears on an Indian shield, described as Benares enamel but looking at the technique closely it looks like Bidri work to me with inlaid brass. The pitted brass and weathered appearance of the surface of the brass looks 'old'. But is it Bidri work? And if so.. from the Deccan?? Thanks...

Battara · 17th June 2016, 02:49 AM

Pictures would really be helpful..........

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th June 2016, 02:19 AM

Whilst the photos are being readied ... below a description and a photo from a now finished auction ...

Quote" from Wikipedia Benares brass is the term used for brassware from Benares (also known as Varanasi, Varenisi or Kaasi) in India.

Benares is a pilgrimage site in India, as it is considered home to Shiva or Visweswara, in Utash Pradesh (Uttar Pradesh State). Benares is particularly famous for its Benares Ware - decorative brass ware and the related popular tourist destination is the Benares Brass Bazaar. Benares is located in an area naturally rich in copper- a requisite ingredient of brass. Benares Brass is highly decorated by engraving, and highly sought after as an antique. Still produced, and available today are new and reproduction wares which may be any combination of embossed, engraved, enameled or burnished brass vessels and brass items.

In ancient India, brass oil lamps decorated with Sanskrit inscriptions, Hindu icons, women, and swans, were in early usage in Hindu temples, and households. Guilds were established in the various trades overseen by Karkhanadars: similar to the journeyman and apprentice of trades of European trades and artisans. Karkhanadars were required to train within the caste, or be subject to being outcasts themselves. The apprentice would need to develop his work for 6 years before achieving full wage and becoming a Karkhandadar. A school has been established in Benares to teach brassware and inevitably the timeless practices of the guilds are being replaced, to keep pace with modern societal demands."Unquote.

TCole · 19th June 2016, 10:26 PM

Sorry about not having that image uploaded... thank you for your patience.

Here it is.. what is this technique? Can anyone be of assistance? Thanks in advance, and again, apologies for the delay.

TCole · 19th June 2016, 10:30 PM

a clearer shot? Put a sharpening 'tool' on it in photoshop but not a dramatic difference.

Jens Nordlunde · 19th June 2016, 10:41 PM

Maybe this it a bit better.
No not really - sorry.

David R · 19th June 2016, 11:45 PM

Hmm, Ibrahiim al Balooshi you have me wondering about this one i have on my wall?

David R · 19th June 2016, 11:47 PM

TCole, have you had a magnet on the item to make sure it is not blackened/blued steel?

Battara · 19th June 2016, 11:54 PM

The background looks like darkened steel to me and not brass. The work looks like gold bidri to me.

It would be extremely difficult to inlay brass like this.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 20th June 2016, 03:28 AM

Benares Technique included enamel work....

TCole · 20th June 2016, 05:18 PM

It is not steel.. and I've read/heard that bidri work is done w/brass in addition to silver and gold. The pitting of the brass, the wear it has received as opposed to the black material which is unscathed is interesting. Bidri is a zinc composite with inlay work in silver, gold or brass... but brass is SO much harder than gold, now I am wondering is it low grade gold? Never seen a brass surface become so worn and pitted. Has anyone else??

David R · 20th June 2016, 06:37 PM

I have seen silver inlay on a Bidriware tulwar hilt, so I suspect it is quite a hard alloy.... And there is no reason for the inlay not to be gold.

TCole · 21st June 2016, 05:31 PM

Has anyone seen a brass surface look like this with pitting, and abrasion thru wear?

17th June 2016, 12:11 AM	#1
TCole Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 16	Technique?? I am unsure of what this technique is. It appears on an Indian shield, described as Benares enamel but looking at the technique closely it looks like Bidri work to me with inlaid brass. The pitted brass and weathered appearance of the surface of the brass looks 'old'. But is it Bidri work? And if so.. from the Deccan?? Thanks...

19th June 2016, 02:19 AM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Benares ... Whilst the photos are being readied ... below a description and a photo from a now finished auction ... Quote" from Wikipedia Benares brass is the term used for brassware from Benares (also known as Varanasi, Varenisi or Kaasi) in India. Benares is a pilgrimage site in India, as it is considered home to Shiva or Visweswara, in Utash Pradesh (Uttar Pradesh State). Benares is particularly famous for its Benares Ware - decorative brass ware and the related popular tourist destination is the Benares Brass Bazaar. Benares is located in an area naturally rich in copper- a requisite ingredient of brass. Benares Brass is highly decorated by engraving, and highly sought after as an antique. Still produced, and available today are new and reproduction wares which may be any combination of embossed, engraved, enameled or burnished brass vessels and brass items. In ancient India, brass oil lamps decorated with Sanskrit inscriptions, Hindu icons, women, and swans, were in early usage in Hindu temples, and households. Guilds were established in the various trades overseen by Karkhanadars: similar to the journeyman and apprentice of trades of European trades and artisans. Karkhanadars were required to train within the caste, or be subject to being outcasts themselves. The apprentice would need to develop his work for 6 years before achieving full wage and becoming a Karkhandadar. A school has been established in Benares to teach brassware and inevitably the timeless practices of the guilds are being replaced, to keep pace with modern societal demands."Unquote. Attached Images

19th June 2016, 10:26 PM	#4
TCole Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 16	Sorry about not having that image uploaded... thank you for your patience. Here it is.. what is this technique? Can anyone be of assistance? Thanks in advance, and again, apologies for the delay. Attached Images

19th June 2016, 10:30 PM	#5
TCole Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 16	a clearer shot? Put a sharpening 'tool' on it in photoshop but not a dramatic difference. Attached Images

19th June 2016, 10:41 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Maybe this it a bit better. No not really - sorry. Attached Images

17th June 2016, 02:49 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Pictures would really be helpful..........

19th June 2016, 11:45 PM	#7
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Hmm, Ibrahiim al Balooshi you have me wondering about this one i have on my wall? Attached Images

19th June 2016, 11:47 PM	#8
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	TCole, have you had a magnet on the item to make sure it is not blackened/blued steel?

19th June 2016, 11:54 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	The background looks like darkened steel to me and not brass. The work looks like gold bidri to me. It would be extremely difficult to inlay brass like this.

20th June 2016, 03:28 AM	#10
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Benares Technique included enamel work.... Attached Images

20th June 2016, 05:18 PM	#11
TCole Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 16	It is not steel.. and I've read/heard that bidri work is done w/brass in addition to silver and gold. The pitting of the brass, the wear it has received as opposed to the black material which is unscathed is interesting. Bidri is a zinc composite with inlay work in silver, gold or brass... but brass is SO much harder than gold, now I am wondering is it low grade gold? Never seen a brass surface become so worn and pitted. Has anyone else??

20th June 2016, 06:37 PM	#12
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	I have seen silver inlay on a Bidriware tulwar hilt, so I suspect it is quite a hard alloy.... And there is no reason for the inlay not to be gold.

21st June 2016, 05:31 PM	#13
TCole Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 16	Has anyone seen a brass surface look like this with pitting, and abrasion thru wear?