SUASA Copper/Gold or Gold/Copper alloy

Gavin Nugent · 25th May 2011, 04:01 PM

Thanks Alan,

I have never seen the art done first hand and I am not sure I would want to unless it was done behind glass.
I did read a little about this method when researching the gold retained on the late 16th century Khanda/Patissa in my collections. it seems is was very common in old Hindu India, likely I would guess how it came down in the Java and Bali.

I'd love to see more study pieces from the regions.

Gav

Battara · 25th May 2011, 06:06 PM

The problem with traditional gilding is that mercury is used.

It vaporizes when heat is applied and gold bonds into the base metal. It is thick compared to gold plating.

Alan is right in that the recipe for suassa varies between regions and even between smiths, depending upon the hue needed.

A. G. Maisey · 26th May 2011, 02:04 AM

Yes, the mercury is a problem.

However, the one remaining man in Solo who still does this work is by all reports at least 80+ years old --- and he looks more than that.

It reminds me a bit of Empu Suparman and his warangan work. He used to grind up the warangan on the same mortar and pestle that his wife used to prepare spices for use in cooking.

But it wasn't the arsenic that killed him it was tobacco.

25th May 2011, 04:01 PM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thanks Alan, I have never seen the art done first hand and I am not sure I would want to unless it was done behind glass. I did read a little about this method when researching the gold retained on the late 16th century Khanda/Patissa in my collections. it seems is was very common in old Hindu India, likely I would guess how it came down in the Java and Bali. I'd love to see more study pieces from the regions. Gav Last edited by freebooter; 25th May 2011 at 04:22 PM.

25th May 2011, 06:06 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	The problem with traditional gilding is that mercury is used. It vaporizes when heat is applied and gold bonds into the base metal. It is thick compared to gold plating. Alan is right in that the recipe for suassa varies between regions and even between smiths, depending upon the hue needed.

26th May 2011, 02:04 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Yes, the mercury is a problem. However, the one remaining man in Solo who still does this work is by all reports at least 80+ years old --- and he looks more than that. It reminds me a bit of Empu Suparman and his warangan work. He used to grind up the warangan on the same mortar and pestle that his wife used to prepare spices for use in cooking. But it wasn't the arsenic that killed him it was tobacco.