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. C). 



No. 6. 



Thin plates of very pure silver are taken, and the little leaves 

 (vide Fig. No. 7) are cut out with a small hammer and chisel, 



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 upon 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 effect I think, is inferior to the silver. The price of a small 

 hookah bottom like that described varies, in Bedcr, from 7 to 10 Ks. 



