Brightcut Silver was a fashion in the late Georgian era, where the plain upper surface of cutlery handles is carefully incised with a steel chisel, with repetitive patterns and borders, often incorporating flowerhead and neoclassical designs, the faceted result causing highlights to reflect brightly, hence the name.
Brightcut silver was popular c. 1785-1835. It had another period of popularity in the later 19th/ early 20th century, and in that period many plain Georgian pieces were ‘enhanced’ with brightcut decoration. Telling them from original work is tricky, but generally, they are not as confidently executed as the first brightcut products.
Dhokra is the term used for the Eastern Indian techniques of bronze working, using ‘Lost Wax’ casting as well as ‘Hollow Casting” to produce bronze items.
It originated in India over 4000 years ago in the India Valley culture. The name ‘Dhokra’ is taken from the Dhokra Damar tribes of Eastern India (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha), where the metal casting tradition was a part of their culture.
‘Lost Wax’ refers to the use of bee’s wax to make the intended form, which is then encased in clay; when molten metal is poured in, the wax is ‘lost’ and the bronze takes its place.
‘Hollow Casting’ refers to the usage of a clay core to make the bulk of the form, with wax used on the outside to define the intended bronze work; when molten metal is poured in, the wax is replaced, often with the clay core still evident inside.
Qalamzani is the Iranian metal-craft method of embossing, then incising, designs into base metals. This can be copper, silver, tin or nickel. The surface is often different, for example a silvered surface with copper beneath; or a blackened surface with silver beneath. When the craftsman uses a sharp tool to inscribe through the upper metal, the colour of the metal beneath is revealed in contrast.
The technique has been in use for over 1,000 years in the region, and is still popular today.
Two distinct styles can be found, the Tabriz and Isfahan styles. Tabriz uses more chiseled bright-cut designs and depends on wrist-action, while Isfahan utilised a hammer and more embossing.
Charger by Master Mahdi Alamdari (1957– ? ), 1970’sSignature of Master Mahdi Alamdari (1957– ? )
Charger by Master Mahdi Alamdari (1957– ? ), 1970’s
Sprigged – a method used to add a small moulded decoration to a pottery vessel while it is still soft.
A negative mould is filled with clay, which can be removed and carefully applied to a surface with a little moisture to soften the join. Once fired, it becomes a part of the vessel.
Usually applied to wheel-made items of simple form.
Not to be confused with Moulded, which is an integral part of the decoration of a moulded vessel.
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