Moradabad metal Coasters set of 6
Minimum Order Quantity : 4
RRP : £11.00
Hailing from the historic city of Moradabad in India, our metal craft coaster are handcrafted by skilled artisans who have mastered the art of working with brass, copper, and other metals. Each coaster in our collection showcases intricate designs and exquisite detailing, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the region.
| Material | Brass |
|---|---|
| Colour | Brown, blue, red, maroon, green |
| Time to Make | 10 - 20 days |
| Weight (kg) | 0.3kg |
|---|---|
| Length (in) | 3.5in |
| Width (in) | 3.5in |
| Height (in) | 0.79in |
| Delivery by Air | 10 days |
|---|---|
| Delivery by Ship | 30 days |
| Name of Craft | Moradabad Metal |
|---|---|
| GI Certified Craft | Y |
| Period of Origin | 18th Century BC |
| Country | India |
| Geographical Region of Artisan | Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh |
| About the Craft | HISTORY OF MORADABAD CRAFT Brass is an alloy created by fusing zinc with copper that closely resembles gold, and has been around in India since time immemorial. Moradabad Handicrafts have a rich history that can be traced back to the 16th century when the city was established as a hub for brassware production and was initially practiced by the thateras of the Jandiala Guru community Later the muslim families who settled in Moradabad introduced a replacement level of workmanship and located greater patronage under the reign of Bahadur Shah Zafar. Today, Moradabad is recognized as one of the leading centers for Handicrafts production in India and is known for its exquisite works of art that are exported to countries around the world. HOW IT IS CRAFTED One of the unique features of Moradabad Handicrafts is the use of traditional techniques and tools that have been passed down from generation to generation. For example, the artisans use a hammer and chisel to create intricate designs on brassware, and a hand-crank drill to make precise holes in metal sheets. These traditional techniques, combined with the use of high-quality materials, such as pure brass and enamel, result in stunning works of art that are both durable and beautiful. The craftsmen cast their pieces, moulding clay from sand, resin, and oil in proportion and adding borax to the clay surface to prevent the metal from sticking. The alloy, the darkened zinc used as a base, is melted and poured into the moulds and solidified. The surface of the roughcast of the articles is filed and smoothened with sandpaper and then rubbed with a solution of copper sulfate to impart a dark surface to provide a suitable base for the next stage of tracing the design and engraving. Finally the item is polished for a golden sheen. Stages for making a brassware are: Mould Making- The first step is to make the mould or ‘master-piece’ from which multiple products would be replicated (cast). These are usually made of wax, as it is soft and easy to work with. Sometimes wood is also used. This master copy is always created in two (or more) detachable halves to make sand casting convenient. Melting- Brass is prepared by melting scrap-metal to approximately coal-fired furnaces. The raw materials are a mix of many metals namely copper, zinc, lead, etc. in a specified ratio. A flux is also added to remove the impurities. These are molten in a huge container for about twelve hours to produce 350 kilograms of brass at one go. The molten metal is left to cool on basic iron moulds to form strips that are then sent to the casting craftsmen. Casting- Sand casting is the traditional method of making brass ware. Sand is used in the two halves of the mould box to cast the metal which is prepared by packing sand (locally called ‘masala’) around the ‘master copy’ tightly. The chemical binder in the sand aids in holding the shape of the mould after which it is removed, and molten metal poured in its cavity. After being allowed to cool for a few minutes, the cast metal is removed from the mould box. The sand and the ‘gating’ (pathway made in the mold for directing the flow of molten metal into the cavity) are broken from the cast using a hammer. These are re-used in the next casting. Scraping- The cast metal is mounted on a cylindrical wooden block, which in turn is attached to the headstock of the lathe machine. Various chisels and files are used to scrap the spinning cast and smoothen its surface of any irregularities. Sometimes when the product is made in parts, it is first welded together and then sent for scraping and polishing. Metal shavings are re- used in the next melting. Engraving- Engraving is the most refined and artistic of all the processes. The design that must be engraved is first sketched on paper and then scaled-up according to the size of the product. Measurement is an important aspect to make the pattern look harmonious and lyrical. These are mainly inspired from different forms of nature like trees, flowers, birds, and animals. The geometric ones have their influence from the Mughal architecture. First, an outline of the whole design is done with a fine engraving tool hammered with a wooden block. After that, broader tools are used to engrave the background and give depth to the pattern. These are often filled with colorful lac or enamel. Polishing- Polishing mainly includes cleaning the brass ware with a soft scrub and then buffing it on the machine for golden sheen. |
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