Large spittoon. Exceptional piece of work. A « Pikdan » in « Bidri ». The socle is bell shaped and supports the recipient which is symmetrically inversed.The design narrows in the centre where the two bell shapes meet and here we see a ring shaped design which has a herringbone pattern. The socle and the vase have beautiful floral decoration, a mixing of flowers and foliage. The inner side is decorated with stylised petals.

BIDRI : This name originates from the town of « Bidar », to the north-west of Hyderabad, in Andhra-Pradesh. The technique is based on the method called « wasted wax », using a mould of clay and cow-dung. The blending is obtained with copper and zinc mixed in variable proportions : three to thirty parts of zinc for one part of copper, to which are added very small amounts of lead, tin, and sometimes steel powder.

The item is polished with sand and coal powder, then darkened with copper sulphate. The decoration, mainly floral design and foliated scroll, is obtained by punching and delicate chiselling. The hollows are filled up with appliqué work or silver sheaths, which are then flattened with a hammer, but a slight prominence is sometimes left called « zar-bulan ». The item is then slightly warmed and left for several hours in a solution of sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, copper sulphate, and ammonia chloride