Comparison of Decorations on Arms and non-Arms Objects

[Atlantia]

Continuing the comparisons of Indian decorative techniques.

Koftgari on steel and Bidri on oxidised copper can look superficially similar. But sometimes we see hilts etc where the silver overlay is more substantial, not exactly the usual Koftgari, more like thick applied shaped foils overlaying the base metal.

This is the only example of this technique that I've seen used on 'Bidriware'.
The base metal is a copper alloy which has been chemically oxidised black, the silver designs appear to be applied thick 'foils' giving a more '3d' effect than would usually be seen. This reminds me of several Tulwar hilts that I've had in the past (sadly no longer).

'Bidri' Pot is from my own collection.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Continuing the comparisons of Indian decorative techniques.

Koftgari on steel and Bidri on oxidised copper can look superficially similar. But sometimes we see hilts etc where the silver overlay is more substantial, not exactly the usual Koftgari, more like thick applied shaped foils overlaying the base metal.

This is the only example of this technique that I've seen used on 'Bidriware'.
The base metal is a copper alloy which has been chemically oxidised black, the silver designs appear to be applied thick 'foils' giving a more '3d' effect than would usually be seen. This reminds me of several Tulwar hilts that I've had in the past (sadly no longer).

'Bidri' Pot is from my own collection.

Bidri work involves the carving/chiseling of surfaces as does Zar Buland.
My understanding is the Bidri applications are finished flush with the surface of the object and the Zar Buland is raised well above the surface.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Bidri work involves the carving/chiseling of surfaces as does Zar Buland.
My understanding is the Bidri applications are finished flush with the surface of the object and the Zar Buland is raised well above the surface.

Ah, good catch Gav,

A quick google found:
"Another variant of the bidriwork can be seen in Lucknow’s Zar Buland, where the ornamental designs are raised above the surface"

I didn't know the name for this variation of Bidri.
So what would the name be if the incised foils technique is used on steel?

Here's an interesting description of the process from a maker in India:

"One of the celebrated craft works in the deccan india, bidri of karnataka is one of the most famous arts.bidriware is an ancient art of india that dates back to 14th century - an era of affluent bahmani and baridi dynasties in bidar, karnataka. and it continues to flourish even today. with time the expertise has spread to other regions in india like uttar pradesh, bihar, and west bengal, but the heart of the art still lies in the same historic town. artisans living in bidar region have treasured this rare craftsmanship for centuries. you can find the streets of bidar bustling with incredibly beautiful handicraft of bidriware - a magnificent symbol of prosperity and artistic taste.

The bidri skill and technique came to india in the 14th century from iran or persia of that time. sultan ahmed shah wali was enchanted with beauty of this unique work and decided to bring the form to india. he persuaded the master artisan abdullah bin kaiserand several other artisans to come to india. they carried on their mastery on the decorations of the royal places and havelis. more impressed, the sultan fell in love with the bidri style and organized training centers to enable the local artisan to learn the art. many talented craftsmen benefited from those training centers and they developed into masters of bidriware, spreading the art to every corner of the region.

Process of making bidriware.

The process of making bidriware is long, intricate, and enduring.the first step involves casting which is done in moulds of special soil of bidar. the red soil is made malleable by mixing caster oil and resin. once the mould is ready, the molten alloy of zinc and copper is poured into the mold. and then the article is smoothened with files and scrapes.

Next step involves a black coating and designing. the design is etched free hand first and later sharp and small chisels are used to carve out the design. it requires ultimate control over carving to fuel life into the designs. the designs range from flowers, creepers, geometric patterns, to human figures.

Once the design is carved out fine wires or sheets of silver are gently hammered into the chiseled design pattern. other steps like filing and polishing follow to give a silky smooth look to the object.

The final step involves permanent black coating on the entire surface of the object. again, the black coating is no ordinary. it is made by mixing soil, oil, and carefully chosen chemicals like ammonium chloride. it is this black coating that makes the silver patterns shimmer superbly through the dark background. the object is rinsed, polished with oil to deepen the black matt coating. this adds brilliance to the inlaid silver pattern and then it results into bidriware article."

Best
Gene

[Richard G]

Hello,
I am new here, so forgive me whilst I struggle with the mechanics of posting. I thought members might be interested to see an example of the the "spiral with leaves" pattern of decoration that is seen on so many Omani\UAE khunjars, and is often said to be associated with Nizwa, on an Indian brass tray.
Hope this works
Regards
Richard

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Richard G

Hello,
I am new here, so forgive me whilst I struggle with the mechanics of posting. I thought members might be interested to see an example of the the "spiral with leaves" pattern of decoration that is seen on so many Omani\UAE khunjars, and is often said to be associated with Nizwa, on an Indian brass tray.
Hope this works
Regards
Richard

Salaams Richard G and welcome to the Forum !!

This is an excellent subject in which to begin your observations. The Khanjar you post is typical in all respects of Omani work. The decorative technique is in essence the famous "Arabesque" style copied and modified across the entire region. Richardson and Dorr in their book "The Craft Herritage of Oman" go to some lengths to explain the techniques of Khanjar decoration. Perhaps best summed up; Quote. "Arabesque patterns in spirals are used for the ornamentation of silver chapes and bands for sword and khanjar scabbards and hilts ~ a style commonly referred to as being "shamaliyyah" ~ of the north".Unquote.
The pattern appears on trays and dishes (and on most Islamic decorative objects including tiles, ceramics, carpets and even on henna hand decoration) either worked on by hand or stamped or spun onto the plate from a dye or pattern cutter... spinning was a method of placing a cyclic pattern onto a plate often detected by a centre- plate-dent where the spinning object has been steadied in the rudimentary lathe.
Nizwa is a traditional centre for copper wares as well as agricultural tools and silver and gold work. The tray however is purely Indian with many regions where copper and brass were decorated. Omani trays tend to be quite austere; decorated in geometric bands and Arabesques..whereas Indian work may well have those plus fabulous animals depicted in leafy scrolled borders.
The following techniques are employed in Omani Khanjar making where the craftsmen encompass the work of steel, silver, wood, horn, leather and emboidery skills ~ casting, forging, sheet wire and inlay, filigree, chasing, engraving, stamping, doming, granulation, gilding and burnishing. This was a male dominated skill except that women were involved doing "tatriz" the silver emboidery however today there are apprenticeship schemes with females involved at all stages in this great traditional work.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Note; Architectural masterpieces in "arabesque" can be seen on the ceilings at Jabrin Palace and Bait al Falaj as well as on the Muscat Merchants houses. The same decorative technique derived from rows of overlapping circles which intersect at their midpoint on an overlapping grid is used on wood carvings on dhows and handcarved doors and windows. The technique goes back in essence to the allowable respected Islamic geometric art form and is a classic in Oman. Favourite silver items decorated thus are the Khanjar, Sword, Hirz silver pendant box and the belt buckle.

After Note ~ Please note that the crown appears to be missing (from the toe of the scabbard) on your otherwise nice example of an Omani Khanjar.

[Jim McDougall]

Richard welcome! and thank you for this outstanding post! Very nicely detailed illustrations and well noted on these Omani khanjhar, especially showing the connection to Nizwa, important in discussions we have had on the saif and kattara from Oman and Muscat.
Ibrahiim, thank you for the additional information explaining further the aspects of the use of these decorative styles in Oman. It is fascinating to see how important the study of these styles are in comprehensive aspects of the material culture in particular regions, and how it is reflected in the motif and decoration of the mountings on weapons. The importance of architectural style and motif is often key as well in illustrating these influences, as you have nicely shown.

Thank you so much guys, incredibly informative and well done!!!


All the best,
Jim

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams all~ Just adding detail to library. Great books;
1. Markets and Merchants of The Islamic World . The Bazaar. By Walter M Weiss. Kurt- Michael Westerman.
2. and another historical department essential tool in unravelling Omani History ; History of Currency in the Sultanate of Oman. (Central Bank of Oman).
From these I have selected a general picture from the first book of Isfahans Masjed(Mosque) e-Sheykh Lotfollah and swords (with plagiarised cartouche) from the section on Damascus and a decorative page cartouche from the(2) Omani coin publication.

Regards Ibrahiim al balooshi.

Note;The cartouche on the blade is copied from Asad-Allah the unchallenged master swordmaker from Damascus who worked at the Royal Court of Persia Isfahan in 1600. (Safavid)

[ALEX]

Richard, Ibrahiim,
Nice references!
As Ibrahiim pointed out: "The decorative technique is in essence the famous "Arabesque" style copied and modified across the entire region".
"Indo-Persian" is one of the terms to reflect this fusion, but it is much wider indeed. Shown below is typical Kutch pattern of late 19th Century. Compare it to the silver decorations on above Omani jambiya - the similarities can be seen in technique and design... Indo-Omani? :-)

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ALEX

Richard, Ibrahiim,
Nice references!
As Ibrahiim pointed out: "The decorative technique is in essence the famous "Arabesque" style copied and modified across the entire region".
"Indo-Persian" is one of the terms to reflect this fusion, but it is much wider indeed. Shown below is typical Kutch pattern of late 19th Century. Compare it to the silver decorations on above Omani jambiya - the similarities can be seen in technique and design... Indo-Omani? :-)

Salaams ALEX ~ True indeed and in fact the Islamic arch is mirrored in the Hindu traditional archway displayed in the dish above.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All~ For good background on the subject of Islamic Metalwork see~

http://www.bewilderingstories.com/is...metalwork.html


Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.