A hand-book of Indian products : art manufactures and raw materials / [T. N. Mukharji].

  • Mukharji, T. N.
Date:
1883
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A hand-book of Indian products : art manufactures and raw materials / [T. N. Mukharji]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Wood-manufitctiiiires. 'J’he Ilushiarpui' work, inlaid with ivory or brass, which closely resembles tho Tarsia work of Italy, has acquired some celebrity. Tho patterns are more varied and bolder than tho Bombay woi-k of similar nature. A tea{)oy costs Bs. 30 ; a box Rs. 15 ; and a pen-case Rs. 10 to Rs. 15. Lacquered vjare is made at Pakpattan, Ilushiarpur and Dchra Ismail Khan. Mr. Kipling thus describes the process of juanufacturo :—“ The articles are first turned in the rude lathe of the country, and tho colour is applied by pressing sticks of coloured lac, like pieces of sealing wax, on the re- volving surface. Sometimes two or three colours are laid on in patches to produce a mottled or marbled ground. Borders are usually in two or three colours superposed. A pattern is made by scratching with a sharp style or chisel. Thus, a red flower is made by scratching through the black or green coats, for leaves the black is only cut away exposing the green, and for a white line all these are cut through to the white wood. This is obviously a work requiring great delicacy of hand and long practice. The articles are unique both in the solidity of surface and in design.” At Hushiarpur, figures of mythological character are painted and covered with trans- parent lacquer. Very few colours are employed at Dehra Ismail Khan, and the patterns usually consist of “ fern-like scrolls of almost incredible minuteness and delicacy of execu- tion.” The price of a teapoy is Rs. 4; a cigar holder annas 6; a work box Rs. ] -4; and a plate annas 12. Papier-mache work is confined to Kashmir, where it is known as the har-i-halamcldni or the pen case work. The process is about the same as in Europe and the designs are of the same style as tho shawls. The ground work is generall}’’ white on which are traced patterns in red, green, blue or gold colour. The prices are—a tea set of 14 articles Rs. 80 ; a box Rs. 12 ; a tray Rs. 6 ; and a pen case Rs. 9.