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Image details : Box with lid, late 16th century India, the Deccan (Bidar) Metal alloy inlaid with brass and silver H. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm), W. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm) Bidri ware, named for the Deccani city of Bidar, is a uniquely Indian alloy of four metals, the main component of which is zinc. An acid bath renders the base material very dark, enhancing its suitability to set off the contrasting inlay metals. This box probably served as a pandan, or container for pan, the leaf pouch filled with chopped nuts, spices and lime so favored in India for chewing. With a shape reminiscent of tombs of the Sultanate Period and decoration that is lyrically Persianate in style, this box is probably one of the oldest surviving examples of bidri ware. Source : Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Thankfully the Bidri work has survived and is thriving.It has heavy influence of Damascene work which came from Damascus. Most delightfully enchanting specimens of Bidri are found in the swords of the Adil Shahi dynasty.The Persian influence is only natural as the Bahamani kingdom were Shias. The architecture of Lucknow also has heavy Bahamani influence.

Bidri has survived in Bidar district of Karnataka and Bidri works made by these craftsmen are available also.