Flacon, bidri metal, inlaid with silver and brass
Bidri metal is an alloy of zinc, copper, tin, and lead that after finishing has a deep, matte-black surface that is normally inlaid with other metals. The metal takes its name from the city of Bidar, where the technique was probably developed. Later it also spread to northern India.
This mango-shaped container was undoubtedly made to contain the lime paste that was used for chewing betel nuts. Organic shapes are often used in Indian and Indian Islamic art. Here the mango was combined with a stopper that can be interpreted both as a stem and as a parrot. The figurative inlay is both rare and of high quality.
This mango-shaped container was undoubtedly made to contain the lime paste that was used for chewing betel nuts. Organic shapes are often used in Indian and Indian Islamic art. Here the mango was combined with a stopper that can be interpreted both as a stem and as a parrot. The figurative inlay is both rare and of high quality.