Metal crafts trace back a very ancient lineage in the Gujarat and it underwent rise and fall in demand with time. Communities of Kanasaras, Panchals, Luhars, Sonars and the like have traditionally been involved in the process of metallurgy and metal crafting. With their indigenous skills and knowledge they have been creating vast gamut of metal crafts serving miscellaneous purposes.
In the wide vista of space making crafts, metal resplendently finds its significance in being used along with other popular materials in architecture, as a considerable material for creating furniture and a prevalent element for crafting decorative and utilitarian space enhancing objects. Iron, copper, bronze, silver, gold, tin, lead, aluminium and the like have been the prevalent materials used by craftspeople contributing to the built heritage traditions of Gujarat. Miscellaneous techniques like casting, molding, stamping, embossing, inlay cladding and many more have over centuries been explored and evolved by architects and craftspeople of the state to create a wide range of space making and enhancing crafts.
Metal Embossing is a traditional craft-form in which idols, narrative plates, artifacts etc. that are particularly related to the Hindu and Jain religion are embossed in copper and plated with pure or German silver. Also, doors, chariots and donation boxes for the temple are carved in wood and plated with German silver. Patan is the hub for Metal Embossing, Cladding and Inlay work, majority of which is done for the Jain Temples across the nation. The materials i.e metals are used in different forms and purpose, like silver is generally used in powdered form, copper is used to make Aangi and for cladding, zinc which is known as German silver used for cladding on doors, dropboxes and windows, brass is used to make locks, dhawaja and cladding.
Metal Crafts of Patan encompass variety of metals like silver, copper, aluminium, crafted with diverse techniques like embossing, cladding and inlay. Historically, it is believed that the creators of the craft forms belonging to the Panchal community descended from Georgia and settled in Patan during the reign of Solanki rulers. A tradition which dates back to more than 1000 years is utilised for creating various space making crafts. Catering chiefly to religious purposes, this craft has been promoted by the Jain and Vaishnav communities. The craft cluster holds an immense historical, religious and economical significance. At present the cluster can be defined as an ‘established cluster’ and can be further worked upon to develop it into a ‘mature cluster’.