| Title | कांस्य (Bronze)Rare Kāṃsya Bronze |
|---|---|
| Description | Veṇkalam (Bronze), a *kāṃsya* (कांस्य) alloy of copper and tin, features prominently in Indic heritage architecture, particularly in South India [1]. Its composition, typically 88% copper and 12% tin, yields a density of 7400-8900 kg/m³ and a melting point between 900-1050 °C. The alloy’s good to high corrosion resistance contributes to its durability. Traditional *dhātu karma* (धातु कर्म) processing methods, including lost-wax casting (*madhuchchhishtavidhana*), were employed by the Chola Dynasty for crafting icons and architectural details in temples like Brihadeeswarar. Bronze artifacts, sourced from *khani* (खनि) mines in regions like present-day Jharkhand and Rajasthan, exhibit tensile strengths ranging from 220-690 MPa. Conservation efforts address corrosion and structural fatigue in *mandira* (मंदिर) temple sculptures. Thermal conductivity ranges from 40-60 W/mK. The Vijayanagara Dynasty also utilized bronze extensively. |
| Also Known As | Bronze Kāṃsya Bronze Brass कांस्य पीतल पित्तल வெண்கலம் కాంస్యము ಕಂಚು |
| Tags | Bronze Alloy Statue Corrosion Copper Alloy Casting Tin Sculpture Metal Idol Temple |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-528681018-20-11-25-VO |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/bronze |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/bronze |
| Total Sites | 1 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
| Types | Metal Alloy Copper Alloy Copper-Tin Alloy |
|---|
| Regions | India Tamil Nadu Karnataka West Bengal Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra Nepal |
|---|
| Time Periods | Indus Valley Civilization Early Common Era Medieval Period Modern Period Ancient Period |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Chola Dynasty Vijayanagara Dynasty Maurya Dynasty |
| Sources | Metal workshops across India Metal workshops in Nepal Smelting facilities Copper mines Tin mines Copper mines in Rajasthan Tin sources in Jharkhand Metal workshops in Tamil Nadu |
|---|
| Properties | Density: 7400-8900 kg/m³ Tensile strength: 220-690 MPa Melting point: 900-1050 °C Corrosion resistance: Good to High Thermal conductivity: 40-60 W/mK |
|---|
| Uses | Statue casting Bell making Decorative elements Tools Ritual objects Architectural details Sculptures Idols |
|---|
| Materials | Copper Tin Gold Silver Clay Wax |
|---|
| Styles | Chola bronze sculpture South Indian temple architecture Nepali Sculpture Himalayan Art |
|---|
| Categories | Statues Bells Artifacts Temple Sculpture Artifact Museum Cultural Heritage Site |
|---|
| Notes |
|
|---|
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Museum Conservation Institute Publications | Technical Report | Conservation of bronze artifacts |
| Metallurgy of Ancient India | Archaeological Report | Bronze casting techniques |
| The Lost-Wax Casting Process in India | Journal Article | Bronze casting techniques |
| The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent | Book | Bronze casting techniques |
| Conservation of Metal Artifacts | Book | Bronze conservation techniques |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brihadeeswarar Temple Thanjavur | Secondary | 100% |