Benares brass

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Benares Brass is the term used for brassware from Benares (also known as Varanasi, Varenisi or Kaasi} in India.

Benares is a pilgrimage site In India, as it is home to Shiva or Visweswara. One of the main products of Benares is Benares Ware or its Brass Works and a popular tourist destination is the Benares Brass Bazaar. Benares is located in Utash Pradesh (Uttar Pradesh State) which is rich in copper as a natural resource. Benares Brass is highly decorated or engraved, and very sought after as an antique. Still produced, and available today are fancy embossed, engraved, enameled and burnished brass vessels and brass items.

The blacksmith of ancient India had developed metalworking by 2500 BC. For example, Brass oil lamps intricately decorated with Sanskrit inscriptions, Hindu icons, women, and swans, were in early usage in Hindu temples, and households. Exquisite images and temple icons were hand-made and hand-finished from brass. Guilds were established in the various trades which were overseen by Karkhanadars which were similar to the journeyman and apprentice of trades of modern day. Karkhanadars were required to train within the caste, or be subject to being outcasts themselves. The apprentice would need to develop his work for 6 years before achieving full wage and becoming a Karkhandadar themself. Recently a school has been set up teaching brassware, and the timeless practices of the guilds is being replaced.