Circular Bidri Tray (Tashtari)

This circular tray is decorated in a form of Bidri work known as tehnishan work. It has a central lotus flower roundel around which there is a border of eleven stylised poppy flowers. The outer rim is decorated with floral scrollwork.

A small circular tray of almost identical proportions and design that is attributed to 18th century Hyderabad is illustrated in Lal (1990, p. 122).

Bidriware originated in the city of Bidar in the Deccan. It is cast from an alloy of mostly zinc with copper, tin and lead. The vessels are overlaid or inlaid with silver (as is the case here), brass and sometimes gold. A paste that contains sal ammoniac is applied which turns the alloy dark black but leaving the silver, brass and gold unaffected.

Bidriware caused great interest at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. It found new European markets and helped to keep alive the craft as demand fell in India with the decline of many of the smaller courts and landed families.

The example here is in fine condition with only minor losses to the silver inlay. There is also a small solder repair or infill next to one of the poppies. This appears to be original to the piece.