180 
Bidri work. From Purneah. 
“Bidri” (from Bider, in the Deccan, where 
this art-industry is said to have been first prae- 
tised in India) is the name given at Purneah to 
a composite metal, the chief component of whieh 
is zinc. With this is mixed, in small quanti- 
ties, copper and lead. Roughly the proportion 
may be given thus :—In every 13 oz. of the 
compound metal rather more than 12 oz. would 
be zinc; rather more than | an ounce would he 
copper, and less than i oz. would be lead. 
Upon vessels and other articles, made in this 
composite metal, palternsare traced and cut out 
in shallow intaglios by chisels of various shapes, 
and the hollows so formed are filled with thin 
silver plates which are made to adhere firmly to 
the bidri ground by the use of hammer and 
punch. The work then receives a polish by 
friction, first with cakes composed of lac and 
powdered corundum, and finally with charcoal; 
after this the ground or bidri metal receives a 
permanent black colour by being rubbed with a 
paste of which the chief ingredients are sal- 
ammoniac and nitre. This blackening of the 
bidri ground not only heightens the effect of 
the silver inlay, but prevents the tarnish which 
otherwise would in time disfigure the ground 
The industry is of Mahomedan introduction, 
and Purneah has long been celebrated for it.— 
See Buchanan Hamilton. 
Hookah-bowl with fittings (“ Naicha,” &c.). 
“ Bidri ” work. 
“Ahkora” (water vessel), with "surposh ” (cover) 
and “ tastari ” (salver). Bidri work. 
Weaver’s shuttle. Brass. Burdwan. 
Pair of scales. Brass. Burdwan. 
“ Khora.” Metal Utensils used by Garo tribes. 
From Gowalpara. 
Sitaram Rana of Chandrakona, Midnapore 
District. 
Brass figure of Radhika, consort of Krishna. 
Chandrakona is well known for its brass 
manufactures, chiefly Utensils. 
Nafar Rai and Haradhan Ghami of Kharar, 
Midnapore District. 
A “thala.” A large circular brass tray, 21 in. in 
diameter. From Kharar. 
Kharar is well known almost throughout 
Bengal for the manufacture of such articles ; 
but the specimen sent, though the best pro- 
curable at the time, is not quite equal to what 
these makers can produce. 
N.W. Provinces Local Committee. 
Water pots (26). From Benares. 
Plates (16). From Benares. 
Spittoons (2), mug and basin. From Benares. 
“ Cholee ” (2). A Standard used by natives as a 
mark of respectability. 
“ Pandan ” (2). A box for “ pan ” (leaves of 
Chavica betel), an aromatic herb eaten after meals. 
Images (21) of Hindoo gods. From Benares. 
H.H. the Maharajah of Benares. 
Collection of native drinking vessels (36). 
Rangoon Local Committee. 
Triangulär gong and stick. 
Hyderabad Local Committee. 
Articles of Bedree wäre, manufactured at Beedur, 
a district of H.H. the Nizam’s territority :— 
Trays and boxes (7), “ Pandan,” “ Dubba,” &c., 
with compartments for keeping betel-nuts and 
spiee. 
Hookah-bowls (9). 
Spittoons (3). “ Oogaldan.” 
Cup and saucer with cover. 
Drinking vessel. “ Abkora.” 
Vide Notes on the articles of Bidri-ware exhibited 
by the Bombay and Bengal Committees. 
Mysore Local Committee. 
Drinking cup. From Coorg. 
India Museum, London. 
Brass “ Chombu” (drinking vessel). From 
Madras. From London Exhibition of 1872. 
Opium pipe and tobacco box. From London 
Exhibition of 1872. 
Tea-pot. From London Exhibition of 1872.