This tribal musician pair sculpture from Ganpati Gems Paradise is made of cast bronze.

Pieces reflecting India's customs and history use conventional production methods and metal types.

India’s metal crafts selection continues to be dominated by decorative and utilitarian pieces that depict mythology, history, religion, and rural and royal lifestyles. In addition, makers roll out releases in contemporary abstract shapes, and animal and garden themes. Products range from sculptures to musical instruments, vases, candle holders, ashtrays, lanterns, smoking pipes, boxes and frames.

Many India manufacturers use domestic brass, copper, bronze, silver, stainless steel, wrought iron, iron, aluminum, brass and white metal. The latter four help reduce costs by 25 to 50 percent. Brass- and aluminum-iron alloys are increasingly adopted in pieces that do not require detailed workmanship, including statues, to lower production expenditure.

Although demand for less-expensive metal crafts is rising, many companies continue to offer upscale models made of pure brass, copper, bronze, alloys of six or seven metals and silver.

Pieces undergo molding, casting, cutting, stone embedding, etching, embossing, and inlay and filigree work, which are largely done by hand. The in-demand finishes are matte, shiny brass, copper or aluminum, antique brass, bronze or copper, pewter, silver, gold, stainless steel, and powder-coated and white electroplated. Suppliers also offer two- or three-tone, antique, glossy golden and natural shades.

Dwarka Art Export Pvt. Ltd employs cast iron in its sculptures, statues and figurines. The company adopts an antique or natural finish with red oxide coating.

International Brass Corp. favors brass, copper and bronze in making tribal-themed crafts, sculptures and decorations. The pieces come in various finishes. Ganpati Gems Paradise also uses these said metal types as it specializes in statues and figures embedded with semiprecious stones.

H&A Enterprises, meanwhile, produces animal figures and heads, and candle stands and small stools made of aluminum.

Pricewise, metal crafts from India vary widely depending on the type of material, workmanship, surface finish and size. For one, silver and gold plating raise rates 10 to 20 percent.

The low-end segment includes iron, aluminum, white metal, brass and metal alloy models with an enamel paint and brass, pewter or aluminum finish. Cutwork and embossed designs can be added. The typical height reaches 5in. Pieces go for $2 to $7.

Midrange types utilize brass, copper, aluminum, metal alloy and stainless steel. These have intricate cutwork, embossed, carved, enameled or inlaid designs. A matte, shiny brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, antique or silver finish is common. Pieces are up to 12in high. These are quoted between $7.50 and $25.

Most adorned are the large and heavy high-end models made of pure brass, copper, bronze, aluminum and five- to seven-metal alloy. Embellishments include silver and gold finishing, embedded stones, carvings, etchings, and embossed or enamel work. Models measure up to 20in tall and weigh 3 to 10kg. The price is $25 to $100 or higher.

Due to fluctuating metal costs, suppliers give prices a 15 to 30-day validity period. The recent 10 to 30 percent increase in metal rates has pushed up quotes by 10 to 12 percent. Rising labor costs are aggravating the pricing issue.

Related report:
Metal crafts: Use of alternative materials widens in India metal crafts

Product gallery

Dwarka Art Export Pvt. Ltd
Model: DAP-025 Ladies Sitting
MOQ: 10 sets
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $310
Description: Sculpture; three sitting women; cast iron; red oxide coating; natural finish; rust-resistant; 125kg

Ganpati Gems Paradise
Model: Musical Couple
MOQ: 5 pieces
Delivery: 60 days
Price: $135
Description: Sculpture; pair of tribal musicians; cast bronze; embedded turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral; gold-plated; 5.5kg

H&A Enterprises
Model: Can 027
MOQ: 50 pieces
Delivery: 60 days
Price: $9.77
Description: Candle holder; horseshoe shape; five stands; aluminum; pink, yellow, green powder coating; 4in height; 7in width

H&A Enterprises
Model: ALSD-705
MOQ: 50 pieces
Delivery: 60 days
Price: $26.97
Description: Stag head; cast aluminum; matte finish; wall-mount; 11.5x8.25x10in

International Brass Corp.
Model: PCH 06
MOQ: 100 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $22
Description: Lantern; iron, glass; antique copper finish; top, base cutwork; with handle; 20x20x47cm

International Brass Corp.
Model: T-02 280
MOQ: 100 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $15
Description: Tribal horn; bell metal; dull brass finish; with hanging metal balls; 30cm length