| Title | வெண்கலம் - Veṇkalam (Bronze)வெண்கலம் Veṇkalam |
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| Description | Veṇkalam (Bronze), an alloy of copper and tin, is used for casting idols and decorative elements in the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Typical composition is 88% copper and 12% tin. Density is approximately 8.8 g/cm³. Melting point ranges from 900-1050°C. |
| Tags | कांस्य Kāṃsya Bronze Alloy Statue Corrosion Kānsya Copper Alloy Muktinath Copper Casting Tin Sculpture Metal வெண்கலம் Veṇkalam 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 20, 2025 |
| Types | Metal Alloy Copper Alloy Copper-Tin Alloy |
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| Regions | Pan-Indian Tamil Nadu Karnataka West Bengal Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra |
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| Time Periods | Indus Valley Civilization BCE Chola Period CE Medieval Period CE Ongoing Chola period Vijayanagara period Chola Period Vijayanagara Period 3rd century BCE Chola Period (11th century CE) |
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| Dynasties | Chola Vijayanagara Maurya Chola Dynasty |
| Sources | Metal workshops across India Metal workshops in Nepal and India Metal workshops Smelting facilities Specific metalworking centers Copper mines Tin mines Copper mines in Rajasthan Tin sources in Jharkhand Mines in Rajasthan Smelting workshops specific metalworking centers Metal workshops in Tamil Nadu |
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| Properties | Density: 7400-8900 kg/m³ Tensile strength: 240-690 MPa Melting point: 900-1050 °C Corrosion resistance: Good Density: 8.8 g/cm³ Melting point: 950°C Tensile strength: 350-600 MPa Density: 8.9 g/cm³ Melting point: ~950°C Tensile strength: 220-480 MPa Corrosion resistance: High Tensile strength: 240-550 MPa Thermal conductivity: 40-60 W/mK Density: 8.7-8.9 g/cm³ Melting point: 900-1050°C Good corrosion resistance Density: 8.7 g/cm³ Corrosion resistance Tensile strength: 240-410 MPa |
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| Uses | Statues Bells Decorative elements Tools Ritual objects मूर्ती - Mūrti (Idol) casting Architectural details Sculptures Idols |
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| Materials | ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) राँगा - Rāngā (Tin) स्वर्ण - Swarna (Gold) Copper Tin Moulding clay मोम - Moma (Wax) मिट्टी - Miṭṭī (Clay) मिट्टी - Mittī (Clay) मोम - Mom (Wax) धातु - Dhātu (Other Metals) தங்கம் - Taṅkam (Gold) வெள்ளி - Veḷḷi (Silver) |
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| Styles | Chola bronze sculpture Temple architecture Nepali Sculpture Himalayan Art South Indian temple architecture Chola art style South Indian art style South Indian temple art Chola bronze sculpture style South Indian temple architecture style Chola Bronze Sculpture |
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| Categories | Statues Bells Artifacts Temple Sculpture Artifact Museum Cultural Heritage Site |
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| Notes |
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| 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% |