We accomplished yet another enduring project of working on the Traditional Metal Foil Work for Tooling, Embossing and Fine Art proving a great experience indeed. Working on this project was interesting since the foil is a highly pure soft metal which takes detailed impressions from the tools easily, cuts with scissors and can be drawn on, embossed or stamped to create raised designs.
We had an illustrious subject to work and prepare the foil work on; Shri Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.Each student was given a different portrait of Shivaji to work on. The sketches then formed the base of the foil work which was mounted to create height differences giving rise to a dimensional view.
The detailing on the base was then finished by using 3D material like clay, sunboard, etc which on hardening becomes strong and unbreakable.
Covering the portrait then with copper foil, lots of hammering is done to bring out the details that are created using the 3D material. Combination of wooden, embossing and chasing tools are used to enhance the piece further.
Method called oxidizing is used to create the antique effect which highlights every effort taken to create a piece so mesmerizing.
The portraits were accompanied by accessories like Shivkalin coins and jewellery, Rajmudra, weapons and warfare horses.
I have created Shivaji Maharaj's famous bichuwa or bichawa (Hindi: बिछवा, Urdu: بچھوا) which is an Indian dagger with a loop hilt and a narrow undulating blade.The weapon's small size meant it was easily concealed in a sleeve or waist band.
