The archeological research and the excavation at different places of India, has proved that Indians are the early practitioners of metal art. The archeologists had discovered several metal objects which include a copper statuette of a dancing figure and assumed as the craft of 2000BC. From Kalibangan(Rajasthan), copper beads , weapons and bangles were found from excavation. Copper and tin were considered to be the earliest metals used by the human beings. As the civilization advanced, the alloy of tin and copper in the form of bronze was introduced and was heavily employed in Indian metal art. Bronze images are found in "Matsyapurana" which establishes the fact of the usage of bronze in ancient times as well.
Each of the minar and tomb in India still stand as the example of the remarkable development of metal art in India. The Qutub Minar of South Delhi represents the Indian metal art of the fifth century A.D. The smelting process of Zinc and Copper was introduced by the European during 1720s. Small rimmed pots and large water pots which are named as "Lotas", are similar to the pots excavated from early centuries A.D and are still in demand in several parts of India. The iron pillar of Mehrauli in Delhi is exemplary of the great artisanship at the Mauryan epoch.
During the Chola period, Tamil Nadu produced some of the world`s well praised figurative bronzes and made Indian metal art to stand apart. Following the bronze metal art tradition, the gods of the temples for worship were being started to be made of "astadhatu" which was considered to be sacred and consisted gold, silver, mercury, copper, zinc, tin, lead and brass or "pancha loha" which is an amalgamation of copper, lead, brass, silver and gold. This added a remarkable diction to Indian metal art.
In eleventh century, the vessels of metals (copper and bronze) were exported and Punjab was the place where the Iranian metal wares were made. The excavation of Zawar(Southern Rajasthan) proved the presence of Zinc and the metal art of the period of fourteenth century also.
During the nineteenth century, Nasik became the centre of Copper and Brass beating. In several sects of India, the handmade production of small cigarette boxes, bowls and "paan daan" (boxes made to contain the spices, leaves and tools associated with betel chewing), "ugal daan"(spittoon), "ataar daan"(perfume box) are of huge demand. Cities like Moradabad, Varanasi, and Uttar Pradesh are well adored for the production and practice of the craft of brassware in all over India.
Among the varieties of metal art and craft of modern India, various ritual articles and water pots are noticeable like panchapatra, tamrapatra, sinhasan, lotus and kanchanthal. Pahaldar and Jaipuri lamps are exemplary of the great artisanship of North India. Some of the vastly used metal objects are "surabi" which is a kind of flask, "Sarota" which is used to cut the areca nuts, axe, spear, handmade cutlery, pen knives etc. The fish shaped handles cast in brass is a speciality of Rampur in Northern Uttar Pradesh.
Varanasi and Srinagar near Mahoba (Uttar Pradesh), the Bastar region of Madhya Pradesh, several parts of West Bengal and Orissa are the places where the figurative works are still well practiced and admired. In the South sect of India Swamimalai, near Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) are the places important for figurative art. Batsar and Madhya Pradesh follow the traditional way of lost wax which is to leave the entire body apart from the arm and head of the figure hollow and is built up on a core. The technique of making the deities and decorating them is called "Dokla" which is used by the tribes of west Bengal and Orissa.
"Bidri ware" is a speciality of Indian metal art. The term "Bidri"(silver inlay work against dark metal backgrounds) is derived from Bidar in Karnataka which was once a capital of a Muslim ruled state. Kashmir is famous for its floral embellishments and calligraphy on copper vessels. In Tamil Nadu , images related to the Chola, Pallava, Pandyan and Nayaka epoch are treasured. "Dhocra" and "Filigree" work are the speciality of Orissa. All these stand as the logo of the artistry of Indian metal art and craft. The metal wares are further designed by incising, enameling, punching, and inlaying. In Jaipur the incising of the metal art employs three different styles that are "Marori", "Chicken" and "Bichi". Badlas which are a kind of zinc pot are the distinct art of Marwar in Rajasthan. Moradabad is acclaimed for "Khudai" or metal engraving work which is done in "nakashi" style. "Barik kam" of Moradabad is praised for its elegance of style and efficiency. The repertoire includes eagles, lions, 16th-century Europeans in ornate armour and even galleons. A remarkable development in Indian metal art happened with the introduction of "Black Metal". Black metal figures came into existence because of the white aluminium from which figures of deities and dancers were being made. One of the well-known craft of Kerala is the manufacturing of big Church bells and "urale" which are made for temple use.
Madhya Pradesh, Southern Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Bengal are the centres where the metal art of `bell metal` is practiced. Certain ritual pieces, traditional cooking pots such as "urale", large vassels, and oil lamps are made of bell metals.
Meenkari" or enamel work on gold, is an art which is well admired in Delhi and Jaipur. This added a whole new facet to Indian jewelry art. The meenakari work was supposed to be initiated by Maharaja Man Singh I at the end of seventeenth century. "Tarkashi" is an amalgamated style of Rajput and Mughal. This is an art of laying fine brass or copper wire carefully into incised grooves in a wooden surface. Silver and Brass inlays are done in various other ways like "tainishan"(inlay of sheet), zarnishan(low relief), "aftabi" (cut out designs on overlaid metal sheet) and zarbuland(high relief).
"Mohra" is a unique metal art of Himachal Pradesh. Mohra denotes the metal plaques. The metal plaques exemplify deities like Lord Shiva, The Devi and other gods and goddesses. "Newari art" includes bronzes with beautiful reddish patina
The metal art has improved its style and technique through ages. Following the trend and considering the demand of the metals, the design of the metal art has still been ameliorating, keeping in mind the budget and demand of the common people.
