The Story of a Copper Flower Vase

Compiled by ANT Team -

A centuries-old tradition quietly thrives — the art of crafting copperware by the skilled Thatheras. This community of metalworkers traces its origins back over 500 years, with roots across India. Historically, the Thatheras were royal craftsmen known for their mastery in shaping metals like copper, brass, and bronze. Their craft, passed down through generations, reflects a deep cultural heritage and exceptional skill.

Among their creations is a special piece: the copper flower vase, designed not only as a functional vessel but as an elegant display article that brings warmth and heritage to any home.

The process begins with a pure copper disc, carefully selected for its quality. An artisan, carrying forward their family’s legacy, heats the copper over a small coal furnace until it glows. With precise, rhythmic hammering, the metal is slowly shaped by hand — no machines or molds, only generations of skill guiding every strike.

Throughout shaping, the vase is softened and strengthened through annealing, cycles of heating and cooling that make the metal malleable. Once the form is perfected, the inside is coated with kalai, a traditional tin-lining technique that preserves the vessel.

The final step is polishing, where the vase’s surface is hand-burnished to reveal copper’s warm, inviting glow — a natural beauty that deepens over time.

This copper flower vase is more than décor; it is a living testament to the enduring legacy of the Thatheras — a blend of history, craftsmanship, and cultural pride that continues to enrich homes today.