ON INDIAN MANUFACTURES IN PRECIOUS METALS. 221 



about sixty miles to the N.W. of Hyderabad. It is a species of inlaid 

 ware of excellent form and graceful pattern. The stages of the manufac- 

 ture are as follows : — 



A mass of finely -powdered and sifted old laterite dust mixed with 

 cow-dung is put upon a rude lathe, and when dry, carefully turned to 

 the correct shape. The model having been smoothed with a chisel, is 

 next covered with a mixture of wax and oil boiled together ; when dry, 

 the whole mass is carefully smoothed and turned. Over this coating is 

 plastered a second layer of laterite dust, moistened with water alone ; 

 this coat is rough, and not subsequently smoothed down. The next stage 

 consists in boring two openings in the composite mould, and placing it 

 in the fire, the effect of which is to melt the intermediate layer of wax, 

 and thus to leave a vacant space for the reception of tbe alloy. Into this 

 space is poured the alloy, consisting of one part of copper and four parts 

 of pewter* The vessel has now a dull leaden look ; it is hard, but 

 easily cut. This shell, as it may be called, is carefully turned, and upon 

 its smooth surface the pattern is traced by hand. This tracing is done 

 rapidly. The workman next takes a small chisel and hammer, and, fol- 

 lowing the lines of the pattern, cuts it deeply and expeditiously, scooping 

 out the tracings of the little leaves, &c, and leaving an indented, but 

 rough surface. This rough surface is next smoothed down by hammer- 

 ing gently with a blunt-pointed chisel, and the space is then ready for 

 the process of inlaying. Thin plates of very pure silver are then taken, 

 and the little leaves (or other patterns) are cut out with a small hammer 

 and chisel ; each little leaf is then raised separately by the chisel and 

 finger tip, and hammered gently but carefully into the depression in- 

 tended for it. This part of the process is tedious. In the more durable 

 kinds of Bidri ware, silver wire is substituted for silver leaf. The vessel 

 in this state is rough, and requires smoothing ; this is done with a com- 

 mon file and a curved scraper of a rude and clumsy form. The hole in 

 the bottom of the vessel is filled up with lead, and smoothed down. 

 Finally, the vase is gently heated, and, while warm, is blackened by the 

 application of a powder (supposed to consist of chalk and sal-ammoniac, 

 chloride of ammonium). This imparts a brilliant black polish to the 

 shell, and careful hand rubbing brings out the polish of the silver. 



Glass inlaid with Gold. — This manufacture is peculiar to Indore, 

 in Central India, but it does not constitute a regular trade. It is inva- 

 riably applied to articles of personal decoration, such as necklaces, arm- 

 lets, brooches, earrings, &c, which are set by native jewellers according 

 to the taste of the purchaser. These subjects generally consist in a re- 



* The metal employed for the groundwork of the ' Bidri ware ' is stated by Dr. 

 Hamilton to consist of zinc 12,360 grains, copper 460 grains, and lead 414 grains, 

 melted together, a mixture of resin and bees' wax being introduced into the 

 crucible to prevent calcination. Dr. Hayne states that it is composed of copper 

 16 oz., lead 4 oz., tin 2 oz., and that to every 3 oz. of this alloy, Avhen melted for 

 use, have to be added 16 oz. of zinc. 



