Taarkashi (taar meaning wire), is the inlay technique of inlaying fine flattened wire of brass copper or silver in wood . Patterns usually used are intricate geometric and floral forms inspired by Mughal art. This kind of metal inlay is a highly skilled process. In each cubic centimeter of inlaid work, up to 250 pieces of metal and wood are laid side by side. Tarkashi work is seen in the old palaces and mahals of Rajasthan. These palaces have beautifully inlaid doors with ivory detailed patterns. The same skilled craftsmanship is found in the inlay work in thrones, howdahs and horse or camel saddles.
Mirror-inlay work on wood is of Persian origin. Here the glass is blown by the craftsperson at the site of decoration and while it is still hot, mercury is poured in, to mirror the concave insides. Then the blown mirror-glass is broken into small pieces and shaped according to the pattern drawn on the wooden wall. These are fixed with plaster or lime.
This craft is done on hardwood and in this process, dark coloured wood is used, like sheesham. The inlay metal is held securely in the wood as it has a high oil content. The patterns, are drawn on the wood and then engraved with a half round chisel and hammer to a depth of 1 mm. Thin sheet metal strips are cut, heated and cooled to remove the temper in the strip and straightened. After which the strip is beaten into the previously created grooves with a hammer. Small coiled dot-like forms called bhiriyan, an element unique to tarkashi, are beaten directly into wood. After the surface is evened with a sander, or silli,diluted adhesive is mixed fine sheesham sawdust and is applied over the entire surface to fill all the gaps. The object is then polished and sanded with a water based emery paper and machine buffed.
During the Safavid era, this art was very popular – artists created precious works including doors, windows, mirror frames, Quran boxes, inlaid boxes, pens and penholders, lanterns and inlaid ornamented shrines. The artisans migrated to Jaipur during the reign of Maharaja Jai Singh II. This craft continues to enjoy a place of pride in the modern world as the designs can now be seen on utility items like trays, plates, spice boxes, etc.
Gallery
YOUR VIEWS
PRACTITIONERS: INDIA
Access 70,000+ practitioners in 2500+ crafts across India.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
10,000+ listings on arts, crafts, design, heritage, culture etc.
GLOSSARY
Rich and often unfamiliar vocabulary of crafts and textiles.
SHOP at India InCH
Needs to be written.
