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Bidri Basin

c. 1650
Zinc alloy with silver and brass inlay
Diameter: 34.5 cm (13 9/16 in.); height: 17 cm (6 11/16 in.)
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2020.205
Location: not on view
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Did You Know?

Zinc alloy does not rust or corrode, in contrast to steel or copper alloys.

Description

Wide-rimmed basins called sailabchi were used to catch water poured from a pitcher during hand washing before prayer and before and after meals. A sumptuous example such as this was made for an elite setting. Every element of the allover floral arabesque was cut from silver and brass sheets or wire and hammered into the cast zinc alloy vessel in a distinctive technique developed in southern India.
Bidri Basin

Bidri Basin

c. 1650

Southwestern India, Deccan, Karnataka, Bidar​

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