Bidri : Bidri, a form of surface ornamentation, takes its name from the city of Bidar situated north-west of Hyderabad. The work is in black colour which never fades and is relieved with silver and gold inlay. In Lucknow the art of manufacturing bidri is believed to have been introduced from the time of the Nawabs of Avadh. The Emperor at Delhi bestowed on them the dignity of the fish (Mahi Murattib) Lucknow bidri, therefore, abounds in fish motifs,flora & fauna and vine leaf patterns.

Enamelling : Enamelling is the art of colouring and ornamenting the surface of the metal by fusing over it various mineral substances. The beauty of the article depends on the skill and resources of the worker and the excellence of the materials employed. The range of colours obtained on gold is much greater than that on silver, copper and brass. Three forms of enamelling are known to exist. These include the cloisonne of Japan and China, the chamleve pattern extensively practised in Lucknow and Varanasi. And Jaipur specialises in enamelled trays and trinket boxes.

In Bronze casting, the lost wax method is a fine art in India. Many images of worship are made by the process. The images are cast according to the rules laid down by the Shilpa Shastra. In the Lost Wax method, the basic form is first prepared by melting wax and then it is enclosed in clay moulds and fired. The wax melts and a clay mould is created with a hollow space. Then hot molten metal is poured into the mould and then the piece is cooled. The basic solid metal image emerges. Then finer details are engraved on the surface of the body.

In South India, Madurai, Swamimalai, Mysore, Bangalore and Karaikal are the important centers practicing this method. Palitana is an important center for casting of Jain images in Gujarat. Varanasi, Mathura, Calcutta, Balasore and Puri are also important metal -casting centers.

Tanjore Plate works, which are very popular throughout India, are also a form of Damascening. Here copper forms the basic metal over which silver medallions carrying repousse designs of Gods and Goddesses and their Vahanas are attached.

In Zarnishan, silver pieces are first engraved with the pattern and then inlaid. It is also called Zarbuland. Wire patterns are called Tarkashi.

Koftagiri is a form of Damascening, an ancient art wherein one metal is encrusted onto another either in the form of wires or small pieces. Originally gold and silver were done on iron and steel defense items. Now this is practiced in Kerala where silver wires are inlaid on iron sheets.

Sheet metal is used commonly in India for preparing water vessels, serving plates, tabletops, dowry boxes, etc. Alternatively heating and hammering the sheet metal make these forms. Another important technique of sheet metal in India is the deep repousse work. Here the flat part of the metal is first filled with lac and the basic pattern is drawn. Then the outline is beaten into the lac with the hammer and the area to be depressed is beaten down.

The lac is melted and the right side is embedded in lac and the process is reversed. The sections that are to be raised in the final piece are beaten outwards. This process is repeated until the deep repousse work emerges. Finally engraving is done. This method is used in making vessels and images of worship. Madurai, Tiruchi and Tanjore in Tamilnadu, Bombay, Varanasi, and Bhuj in Gujarat are specialties in this technique.

Casting of brass and copper is done in Moradabad. Bell metal casting is followed in Kerala, West Bengal, Orissa, Biahr and Assam. First the piece is made in sand or clay and then cast in metal.