Metalwork, Weapons and Jewelry

Within the field of metalwork, written sources show that Muslim princes had many magnificent objects of gold and silver, but most of them have been melted down, making our knowledge of them limited. Today we mainly know of pieces made of the alloys bronze and brass. The most splendid are inlaid with copper, silver, gold, niello, or a combination of them.

Copper and especially tinned copper were common as well. There are also examples of fine damascened and openwork steel. A distinctive matte-black alloy, bidri, was made in India. Metal was used for innumerable types of objects, from fittings, lamps, vessels, and other household utensils to jewelry, weapons, scientific instruments, and coins.