Page:The Industrial Arts of India.djvu/60

 copper, lead and tin, made black on the surface by dipping it in a solution of sal-ammoniac, saltpetre, salt and blue vitriol. This alloy, after being first melted and cast, is turned in a lathe to complete the form, which is usually that of the ordinary sarai, or water goblet, or kukah stand. Then the required pattern is graven over it* and inlaid with silver; and finally the ground of the vessel is blackened, and its silver ornamentation scoured to the brightest polish.

Bidri is also made at Purniah, in the Bhagalpur division of Bengal, where only zinc is mixed with copper in the alloy ^ and inferior kinds of the work are produced at other places. It is also imitated in pottery. It is the highest art practised in India after enamelling, and was originally introduced by the Mahom- medans from Persia, In the bidri of Bidar the floral decoration is generally drawn in a more or less naturalistic manner [Plates 32 and 33], while in that of Fund ah it is always strictly con- ventional [Plates 34 and 35]. Fig, 34 is an admirable example of a gold decorative effect produced by the skilful use of a few simple lines. Sometimes the decoration of the Purniah bidri is Chinese in character, and has evidently been derived through Sikkim or Bhutan.