Brass bowls have been made and utilized by individuals for many years in different regions of the world. They remain timeless and serve a purpose that has placed them in cultures and styles of decor across the globe. The antique brass bowl is of particular interest, which is valued for its age, scarcity, and craftsmanship as well as the finish they develop. Radhyaa is here today to tell you more about these exquisite utensils.
A Glimpse into the History
Metal products such as any antique brass bowl were already being produced in the Middle East and Asia by around the 8th century BCE using the lost-wax technique. This entailed making a preliminary replica of the object in wax using clay and then heating the clay to remove the wax and solidify it. Molten metal was then poured in to form the metal object.
This elaborate method allowed the workers to make refined brass bowls with elaborate designs. Originally, these were primarily serving utensils that were employed for holding and delivering food. However, as the technical advancement of the potteries was refined, both the decorative and the ceremonial bowls acquired aesthetic and prestige values.
By the 12th century, brass bowls were established in industries in the Indian subcontinent, the Ottoman Empire, and Cairo. The 17th and 18th centuries were considered the pinnacle of brassware production in Morocco, Persia, Turkey, and India. There was tradition where craftsmen would append their signature on their works and some towns became famous for the products they made.
The colonial expansion of the 19th century in Asia also led to the large demand in Europe for antique Middle-Eastern and Indian brassware to be used as exotic ornaments. Very few of these hand-crafted wares from the previous centuries have been preserved which makes them even more valuable.
Metal Shaping and Artistry
Beaten metalworking is an ancient technique that involves shaping brass by hand using hammers. Iron smelting has been done using antique techniques and the excellent artisans of the old days were capable of turning flat sheets of a metal alloy into great bowls with contours, designs, and engravings and all this was done without any machinery or even templates.
The technique involved first heating the brass for the purpose of softening the metal prior to hammering, this process is referred to as annealing. The softened sheet was then beaten over stakes and wooden hammers that gradually shaped it into the required form. As more detailing was done, progressively heavier hammers were employed. Heating and hammering were performed for the bowl during this elaborate procedure to produce the final shape.
For the embellishments, a process of embossing was completed where the metal was shaped by hammering it on the carved dies that were heated. The technique of engraving and inlaying of metals, ivory, or gemstones was also sometimes used. Every piece was made by hand and had signs of the personal skills of artisans.
Patina and Value
After years of usage and exposure to weather conditions, any antique brass bowl develops a beautiful and much sought-after dark, mellow golden hue known as patina. This blackish-green oxidized coating cannot be imitated artificially. To collectors and aficionados, this shade is not an embarrassment or blemish but rather an integral part of the piece. Instead, it provides character, aesthetic appeal, and increased monetary worth to the old items of brass.
Real antiques acquire this layer over time and it is not a result of some application or painting over them. The fakes will sound odd and out of sync compared to the original, and won’t have the subtlety of the genuine article. Besides patina, factors that determine antique value include:
- Originality and Age – Fewer pieces that were created predate the current period generally attract higher prices.
- Origin and Manufacturer Back Stamps – Bowls that have a known history and can point to the master that was behind their creation have a higher value.
- Complexity - Large products and those with heavy engravings have more intricate designs and complicated shapes, which need more talent to carve. The large and heavy-duty vessels also focused on mastery.
- Chaos – Destruction weakens the basic construction and the beauty of the building.
It is always interesting to own a small, perhaps insignificant, piece of history and this does not come cheap. For the brass bowl lovers though, the opportunity to preserve such magnificent craftsmanship of yesteryears is more than enough!
Conclusion
Brassware has been a tradition in the Indian subcontinent for many centuries and one of the most famous articles is the brass bowls. So if you ever find some brass bowls in old houses, markets or during your tour, do not rush to buy them, take a closer look at them! They may have amazing historical significance which is not suggested by their rather unimpressive exterior. With a little more effort and the right kind of shine, these could easily turn out to be family treasures to be handed down from one generation to the next. To buy your antique brass bowl today, visit Radhyaa!
