Technique

Metal inlay (koftgari)

کوفتگری

Hammering gold or silver wire into a cross-hatched steel or brass surface.

Process, step by step

  1. Cross-hatch the ground
  2. Lay precious wire
  3. Hammer and burnish

Variations

True inlay sits in cut channels; overlay sits on a hatched surface.

Conservation

Keep dry to prevent rust on steel grounds.

Used in these crafts

Inlaid metalwork

Decoration of brass, bronze or steel vessels by setting silver, copper or gold into cut recesses, producing figurative scenes, inscriptions and ornament in contrasting colour.

Steel openwork (Fulad-kari)

The chiselling and piercing of steel into plaques, standards (alam), locks and fittings, often with inscriptions or arabesque openwork.