Metal Technique

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Inlay is a highly specialized craft in which a decorative metal (gold, silver or copper) is combined with a harder metal (bronze or steel) by being hammered on to a roughened surface or into an inscribed pattern.

The craftsmen use undecorated pieces cast by others, then, apply the inlay in their own shops. The chief craftsman makes the drawing on the cast metal. Then, a worker using a burin lifts out the lines of the design. Next, copper or silver wires are hammered into the engravings.

Finally, the edges of the inlay are cut away with a sharp chisel. The piece is finished by polishing it with fine sand or chalk.