Thanjavur Art Plate is an artifact exclusively made in the
Thanjavur
Thanjavur (), also known as Thanjai, previously known as Tanjore, Pletcher 2010, p. 195 is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the 12th biggest city in Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is an important center of southern Indian religion, art ...
region of
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
, India. It is a circular plate consisting of
silver
Silver is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Ag () and atomic number 47. A soft, whitish-gray, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal. ...
,
bronze
Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals (such as phosphorus) or metalloid ...
, and
copper
Copper is a chemical element; it has symbol Cu (from Latin ) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkish-orang ...
embossed with figures of
Hindu gods
Hindu deities are the gods and goddesses in Hinduism. Deities in Hinduism are as diverse as its traditions, and a Hindu can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, monistic, even agnostic, atheistic, or humanist.Julius J. Lipne ...
and goddesses at its center.
The artwork has been registered for protection under the Geographical indication of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. It is listed at item 63 of the Geographical Indications Act 1999 of the
Government of India
The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...
, with registration confirmed by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks in 2007–08.
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History
The Thanjavur Art Plate or plaque was introduced by Rajah Serfoji-II (1777–1832) during the Maratha rule in Thanjavur. It was made as an exclusive gift item by the artisans of Thanjavur at the suggestion of the Rajah.[
The artifact is crafted exclusively by the community of ]Vishwakarmas
The Vishwakarma community are a social group of India, sometimes described as a caste. They claim themselves to be Brahmin or of high-status in the caste hierarchy, although these claims are not generally accepted outside the community. The commun ...
, which consists of a few goldsmith families of Thanjavur. It is an inherited art, and is a way of living for them. It is a declared cottage industry as it is made in the houses of the craftsmen. Its manufacture is the prerogative of the menfolk only.
A plaque made in the 20th century was displayed at the Government Museum in Thanjavur during 2011. This plaque made of the prescribed metals has in the relief
Relief is a sculpture, sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces remain attached to a solid background of the same material. The term ''wikt:relief, relief'' is from the Latin verb , to raise (). To create a sculpture in relief is to give ...
images of Nataraja
Nataraja (/ n̪əʈəɾɑd͡ʒᵊ/ ,, ; , ''Naṭarājar'' Telugu: నటరాజు,''Naṭarāju''), also known as Adalvallan (), is a depiction of Shiva, one of the main deities in Hinduism, as the divine cosmic dancer. His dance is ca ...
, the sage Pathanjali, and the goddess Sivakami in a standing posture over a lotus flower, encrusted at the plate's central part.
Manufacturing
The artifact consists of three components: the base plate, a circular plate of metals with primary relief, and the secondary relief. Sheets of brass are used to make the base plate, silver sheets to craft the reliefs, lead to create moulds to project the three-dimensional images, and an asphalt or wax board to fix the plate. The base plate is prepared first by craftsman specialized in heavy metals. Then the crafting of designs or reliefs is done by jewelers, and the encrusting of the relief is the prerogative of the diamond-setting expert. The procedure of manufacture involves the making of the base plate followed by the casting of the copper plate, preparing moulds, and crafting the motifs on copper plates and dyes. The base plate is also covered with motifs. Floral and other designs are carved on the reliefs, and the product is then finished by polishing.
The art plates are marketed within the country and also exported. They are marketed by the artisans themselves or in handicraft showrooms and through exporters.
References
Bibliography
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{{Geographical indications in Tamil Nadu
Art discs and ovals
Tamil culture
Indian metalwork
Geographical indications in Tamil Nadu