Wood & Metal covers carved wood, turned wood, brass and bell metal (kansa) ware, copper, and dhokra lost-wax castings: bowls, plates, glasses, figures, boxes, candle stands, wall panels and lamps. The general rules for names, honest claims and the reply format are in the JADUZ listing guide; this page covers what is specific to wood and metal.
What to measure and how to state it
Give inches first and centimetres in brackets, and weight in grams or kilograms. Weight matters more here than in most categories: buyers judge brass and bell metal by how heavy it is.
- Figures and objects: height × width × depth, for example 6 × 3 × 2 in (15 × 8 × 5 cm).
- Plates, trays and bowls: the diameter and the depth, for example an 11 in (28 cm) plate.
- Glasses, bowls and jugs: the capacity in millilitres, measured with water.
- Wall panels: height × width × thickness, and how it hangs.
- Sets: the size and weight of each piece, and how many there are.
Weigh each piece on a kitchen scale. Cast and beaten pieces vary, so give a range if you sell several.
Materials and techniques to name
For wood, name the species only if you are sure: mango, teak (segun), mahogany, gamari, rain tree (koroi) or neem. If you aren't sure, say "solid hardwood". Say whether it is solid wood or has veneer, plywood or MDF in it. Name the work: hand-carved, lathe-turned, inlaid or painted, and the finish: oil, wax, lacquer, varnish or paint.
For metal, name the alloy as far as you know it: brass, bell metal (kansa, a copper and tin alloy) or copper. Name the method: sand-cast, hand-beaten from sheet, engraved, or dhokra lost-wax casting, where each wax model and clay mould is used once, so every piece is different. Say whether the surface is polished, left with a dark patina or lacquered, and whether a vessel is tin-lined inside (kalai).
Care
Wood: wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth, keep it away from soaking water and long direct sun, and re-oil oiled pieces now and then. Say plainly whether a wooden bowl is meant for food or for display. Metal: brass, copper and bell metal darken with air and handling. Say how you suggest cleaning them, such as a mild metal polish or a traditional tamarind or lemon rub, and dry them well. Lacquered pieces should only be wiped, because polishing removes lacquer. Dhokra is usually left with its dark finish, so tell buyers not to scrub it.
Example names
- Hand-carved mango wood bowl, oiled finish, 8 in (20 cm) across
- Hand-beaten bell metal (kansa) dinner plate, 11 in (28 cm)
- Dhokra lost-wax cast brass elephant, 5 in (13 cm) tall
- Carved teak wall panel, lotus border, 12 × 24 in (30 × 61 cm)
- Brass candle stand with engraved pattern, 9 in (23 cm)
Questions buyers ask
- Is it solid brass or bell metal, or plated?
- How heavy is it?
- Can I eat or drink from it? Does it need a tin lining for sour food?
- Will it tarnish, and how do I clean it?
- What wood is it, and will it crack in dry air or air conditioning?
Words to avoid
Don't call a new piece "antique" or "vintage"; "antique finish" is fine if that is what it is. Don't write "pure brass" or "pure kansa" without knowing the alloy, and make no health claims for bell metal or copper. Don't guess a wood species to make it sound valuable. Leave out "best quality", "100% original", "rare", "last piece", invented discounts, ALL CAPS and emojis.