India is the world’s largest brassware manufacturer, with a long-standing relationship with metallurgy dating back to the 3rd century BC. Moradabad, known as the Peetal Nagri aka Brass City of India, was established by Murad, the son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The tradition of this art form has been passed down through generations, with many families having in-house manufacturing units and workshops.
Our hand-carved chess set is made by one such family and is a beauty to behold. Traditional brass work is meticulous and mainly done by hand, using minimal tools. First, the mold is created in clay by hand, then melted brass is cast into it. Next, it is scraped, shaped, and smoothed. Intricate designs are engraved by hand using chisels of various sizes, with some featuring enamel work to add another layer of sophistication. The final step is polishing, which mainly involves cleaning the brass surface and buffing it to give it a golden sheen.
