OCT. — DEC. 1856.] Description of Bidder y Ware. 83 
with another blunt pointed chisel, and the space is then ready for 
the process of inlaying (vide Fig. No. G). 
No. 7. 
each little leaf is then raised separately by the chisel and finger 
tip, and hammered gently but carefully into the depression intend- 
ed for it. This part of the process is tedious. In the more dura- 
ble kinds of Biddery ware silver wire is substituted for the silver 
leaf. The vase in this state is rough and requires smoothing. This 
is done with a common file and with a curved scraper, of a rude 
and clumsy form. The hole in the bottom of the vessel is filled up 
with lead and is smoothed down. Finally the vase is gently heat- 
ed, and whilst warm, is blackened by the application of a powder, 
supposed to consist of chalky earth and muriate of ammonia, this 
imparts a brilliant black polish to the shell, and careful hand rub- 
bing brings out the lustre of the silver. 
The value of the ware depends upoa the thickness of the silver 
inlaying — the common ware of the bazaars rarely lasts long. In- 
laying is also executed in the same way with copper leaf, but the 
artistic efi*ect I think, is inferior to the silver. The price of a small 
hookah bottom like that described varies, in Beder, from 7 to 10 Rs, 
