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Description

Antique Bidri Silver Inlay Metal Ornaments
Long Neck Surahi Bottle / Stem Vase
Sini Salver Base Plate Dish
Circa 1880 -1910

The small salver is in a Persian pattern of Birds, ''ashrafi ki booti'' (five pointed leaf ) ''teenpatti ki booti'' (three pointed leaf ), & grapevine creepers
The vase has a later, more Art Nouveau European design influence

Priced & Sold as a Pair

Handsome Hand Crafted Folk Art Dressing Table / Desk Top Collectible Ornament

In good vintage condition.
The plate has indications of age & use with moderate unevenness to the black metal

vessel approx:
5" (127mm) tall
dish approx: 5.5" (142mm)
combined weight= 690g
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The term, bidri, designates black-mordanted cast metalwork made of an alloy of zinc, copper, lead and tin, with the predominance of zinc.
The Bidri art form is a kind of damascene work known as "koftagiri" - a system of ornamentation consisting of encrusting gold or silver on iron objects.
In 'Bidri' or 'Bidari', the metals silver, gold or brass are overlaid or inlaid in the designs to decorate objects made out of an alloy of zinc and copper.
The art of bidri blends the domestic tradition of metal casting, with the tradition of inlaying base metal grounds with decorative elements in precious metals, an art that was brought to perfection in the Islamic world.
Designs are drawn with a fine point and pure silver is hammered into the pattern. The final polish is achieved with sandpaper, charcoal and coconut oil.