The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 24, 2024

Bidri Basin

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

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.
  • 1968-1999
    Dr. Mark Zebrowski [1945-1999], London, UK, by descent to his partner John Robert Alderman
    1999-
    (John Robert Alderman, London, UK, consigned to Francesca Galloway, Ltd. for sale)
    2020
    (Francesca Galloway, Ltd., London, UK, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    2020-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Gray, Basil, editor. The Arts of India. Oxford: Phaidon, 1981. Reproduced: fig. 206
    Zebrowski, Mark. "Bidri: Metalware from the Islamic Courts of India," in Art East. London, England: Hali Publications, 1982. Reproduced: p. 28
    Zebrowski, Mark. Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India. London: Alexandria Press in association with Laurence King, 1997. pp. 170–71
    Haidar, Navina Najat, and Marika Sardar. Sultans of Deccan India, 1500-1700: Opulence and Fantasy. New York, NY: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2015. Reproduced: cat. no. 95, p. 193
  • Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 1, 2021-February 6, 2022).
    Sultans of Deccan India, 1500-1700: Opulence and Fantasy. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (April 20-July 26, 2015).
  • {{cite web|title=Bidri Basin|url=false|author=|year=c. 1650|access-date=24 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2020.205