Alwar Brassware: The Living Metal Craft

Alwar is renowned for its distinctive brassware tradition, producing intricate utensils, decorative pieces, and ritual objects. Artisan families in the old city quarters have practiced this craft for over 300 years, employing the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting method for complex forms. The craft involves extracting designs through chiselling, engraving, and repoussé work on polished brass sheets. Traditional items include surahi (water vessels), paan daani (betel-nut boxes), and havan kunds (fire vessels). The Alwar Museum preserves historic specimens of royal brassware commissions. GI-tag efforts are underway to protect this craft from cheap machine-made imitations. Local cooperatives under the Rajasthan Laghu Udyog Nigam help artisans access export markets.