History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s3.4

v1.c34.s3.4

In addition to the above equipment and tools, the Indian goldsmiths used certain other instruments to do the filigree work. The heavy pincers (siari), light pincers (atamgir or pilas) are used for pulling wire. The qualam (pointed iron pen) is required for chasing the patterns. A set of Sālais are used for chiselling and engraving. The Bālanca is a hand brush made of hog’s hair for cleaning. The Meghnala or the mica plates are required for arranging and soldering the wires of filigree work. The Tāra Gola Nali is a wooden cylinder to which the gold and silver wires are wound around. The Hatol is another instrument in the shape of a iron needle which gold and silver wires are wound for making chains.