Aranmula Metal Mirror, Kerala, India

ARANMULA, INDIA - 16th September 2019 - The Aranmula Kannadi - or the Aranmula metal mirror - is made of metal, not glass. It is a marvel in the annals of metallurgy and has been used long before the appearance of the modern silicone synthetic glass mirror. Images are reflected with complete clarity without any refraction, unlike a glass mirror where images fall on the mercury coated surface inside the glass. Blending copper and tin to produce a distortion free mirror is an artisinal technique that has long been practised in various parts of the old world. The ancient art is still practised by a handful of family artisans in Aranmula, Kerala, Southern India.

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Copyright: Chris Griffiths
Image Size: 4480x6720 / 9.9MB; Aranmula Kerala Southern India Travel India Asia art and craft craft metal mirror travel destinations colour image Aranmula Parthasarathy temple kannadi vaalkannadi ancient technology glass metallurgy art relfection production industry factory workshop design glass copper tin backwaters shopping marriage wedding ceremony tradition cultures brass science and technology heritage social history Indian ethnicity
Contained in galleries: Tour of Southern India

$ARANMULA, INDIA - 16th September 2019 - The Aranmula Kannadi - or the Aranmula metal mirror - is made of metal, not glass. It is a marvel in the annals of metallurgy and has been used long before the appearance of the modern silicone synthetic glass mirror. Images are reflected with complete clarity without any refraction, unlike a glass mirror where images fall on the mercury coated surface inside the glass. Blending copper and tin to produce a distortion free mirror is an artisinal technique that has long been practised in various parts of the old world. The ancient art is still practised by a handful of family artisans in Aranmula, Kerala, Southern India.$