Title

स्वर्ण (Gold)

Rare

Svarṇa

Gold

4.5/5(Based on 1 heritage site)
DescriptionThaṅgam (தங்கம்), or gold, is a noble metal (Au) prized in Indic heritage architecture for its aesthetic and symbolic value. Its high malleability and ductility allow for intricate *Svarṇapatra* (स्वर्णपत्र) – gilding [1]. Density is 19.3 g/cm³ and melting point is 1064°C. Historically sourced from Kolar Gold Fields and alluvial deposits in Kerala, gold was used extensively from the Indus Valley Civilization through the Chola [2], Vijayanagara, and Mughal periods. *Kalasha* (कलश) finials and *stūpi* were often gilded. *Lepana* (लेपन) or plating of idols was common. The Chola Dynasty used gold extensively in temple construction. Conservation requires careful cleaning and stabilization to prevent degradation of the *Sone kā Pānī* (सोने का पानी) or gold plating. Its excellent corrosion resistance contributes to its longevity in structures.
Also Known As
Gold
Svarṇa
Gold
Aurum
स्वर्ण
सोना
कंचन
सुवर्ण
தங்கம்
బంగారం
ಬಂಗಾರ
സ്വർണ്ണം
Tags
सुवर्ण
Suvarna
Gold
Gilding
Metal
Ornamentation
Decoration
Sonā
सोना
Ornament
Precious Metal
स्वर्ण
Svarna
Precious
Svarṇa
Swarna
Plating
सोने का पानी
Sone kā Pānī
Temple
Mine
Muktinath
Tibet
Kalasha
Kolar
தங்கம்
Thangam
Thaṅgam
Material ID
INHFMAT-205718690-20-11-25-TL
URIhttps://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/gold
API Endpoint
https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/gold
Total Sites1
Primary Sites1
CreatedNovember 20, 2025
Last UpdatedNovember 28, 2025

External References

View on Getty AAT

Material Types

Types
Metal
Precious Metal
Native Element
Noble Metal
Alloy
Metallic Element
Gold Alloy

Regions

Regions
Karnataka (Kolar Gold Fields - historical)
Jharkhand (current mining)
Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh
Karnataka (Kolar Gold Fields)
Jharkhand
Kerala
Ancient India
Pan-Indian
Pan-India
Kerala (alluvial deposits)
Himalayan Region
Tibet
Used pan-India
Tamil Nadu

Historical Context

Time Periods
Modern Period
Chola Period (9th-13th century CE)
Vijayanagara Period (14th-17th century CE)
Medieval Period CE
Ancient times
Ancient Period
Medieval Period
Ancient Period BCE
Ancient Times
Modern Period CE
Vedic Period
Medieval Period CE onwards
Vedic Period BCE
16th Century CE
18th Century CE
Ongoing
Gupta Period
Vijayanagara Period
17th Century CE
Chola Period
Indus Valley Civilization
Vijayanagara Empire
Ancient
Medieval
9th century CE
12th century CE
Dynasties
Chola
Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara Empire
Maurya
Gupta
Rajput Kingdoms
Mughal Empire
Gupta Empire
Chola Dynasty
Mughal
Fifth Dalai Lama's Reign
Mauryan
Pandya

Geographic Sources

Sources
Imported gold
Recycled gold
Hutti Gold Mines, Karnataka
Trace amounts from alluvial deposits
Kolar Gold Fields (Historically)
Kolar Gold Fields (Karnataka)
Hutti Gold Mines (Karnataka)
Kolar Gold Fields
Hutti Gold Mines
Riverbeds
Hutti gold mines
Kolar gold fields
Ramagiri Gold Field (Andhra Pradesh)
Kolar Gold Fields (historically)
Kolar Gold Fields (historical)
Gold mines across the world
Alluvial deposits in riverbeds
Refined from ore
Imported gold leaf
Gold mines in Karnataka
Hutti gold mines (Karnataka)
Sonbhadra district (Uttar Pradesh)
Imported gold bullion
Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh)
Mines in Eastern Tibet
Metal workshops
Sonapat Valley (Jharkhand)
Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka (historical)
Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
Specific gold mines in Karnataka
Sonbhadra gold deposits

Properties

Properties
Density: 19.3 g/cm³
Melting point: 1064°C
Electrical conductivity: High
Malleability: High
Corrosion resistance: Excellent
Melting point: 1064 °C
Electrical conductivity: 45.2 x 10⁶ S/m
Thermal conductivity: 317 W/mK
Electrical conductivity: 4.52 × 10⁷ S/m
Thermal conductivity: 317 W/(m·K)
Electrical conductivity: 4.5 x 10⁷ S/m
Electrical conductivity: 4.52 x 10^7 S/m
High ductility
High malleability
Melting Point: 1064 °C
Electrical Conductivity: High
Malleability: Extremely high
Electrical conductivity: 4.52 × 10^7 S/m
Density: 19300 kg/m³
Electrical conductivity: 4.52 x 10⁷ S/m
High electrical conductivity
Excellent corrosion resistance
Thickness: 0.1-0.2 μm (gold leaf)
Thermal conductivity: High
Thermal conductivity: 317 W/m·K
Tensile strength: 120-190 MPa
Malleability: Highly malleable
Tensile strength: 120 MPa (pure gold)
Density: 19.3 g/cm³ (pure gold)
Electrical conductivity: 45.2 x 10^6 S/m
Thickness (gold leaf): 0.1-0.2 μm
Melting Point: 1064°C
Tensile Strength: 120 MPa
Electrical Conductivity: 45.2 x 10^6 S/m
Tensile strength: 120 MPa
Electrical conductivity: 45.2 × 10^6 S/m
Density: 19,300 kg/m³
High malleability and ductility
Electrical Conductivity: 4.52 × 10^7 S/m
Malleability: Extremely malleable
Tensile strength: 190 MPa
Purity: 22-karat (91.67%) or higher
Gold leaf thickness: 0.1-0.2 μm
Tensile strength: 120-200 MPa

Common Uses

Uses
Gilding
Decorative accents
Idol ornamentation
Finials
Gilding statues
Covering sacred objects
Decorative work
Inscriptions
Gilding of statues
Decorative elements
Offerings
Ornamentation
Statues
Inlay work
Decorative plating
Idols
Coins
Inlay
Idol decoration
Architectural details
Decorative inlays
Finials (Kalasha)
Gilding (स्वर्णपत्र - Svarṇapatra)
Finials (कलश - Kalasha)
Decorative Inlays
Gilding of domes and statues
Jewelry
Gilding domes
Kalasha finials
Gold plating (सोने का पानी - Sone kā Pānī) on finials
Decorative surfaces
Roofing
Gilding of idols
Decorative ornamentation
Inlaying
Gilding (स्वर्ण पत्र - Swarna Patra)
Kalasha (कलश) finials
Temple finials
Coinage
Finials (Kalashas)
Ornamentation of roofs
Decoration of religious objects
Gilding of domes
Inlays
Stupas
Decorative details
Religious objects
Plating (लेपन - Lepana) idols
Idol plating
Kalasha
Jewellery
Religious icons
Plating deities
Finials (stūpi)

Related Materials

Materials
लाख - Lākh (Lac)
राल - Rāla (Resin)
चांदी - Chandi (Silver)
ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper)
चाँदी - Chandi (Silver)
चांदी - Chāṃdī (Silver)
तांबा - Tāṃbā (Copper)
तांबा - Tāmbā (Copper)
चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)
चाँदी - Chāndi (Silver)
चांदी - Chāndi (Silver)
रंग - Rang (Pigments)
लाख - Lākha (Lac)
चांदी - Chāndī (Silver)
Ratna (Gems)
चाँदी - Chāndī (Silver)
चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) (as a base for gilding)
लाख - Lāksha (Lac)
गोंद - Gond (Gum)
ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) (alloying element)
पीतल - Pital (Brass)
रत्न - Ratna (Gemstones)
लाक्षा - Lākshā (Lac)
ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) (as an alloy)
रत्न - Ratna (Gems)
Copper
Silver
Gemstones
வெள்ளி - Velli (Silver)
பித்தளை - Pitthalai (Brass)
செம்பு - Chembu (Copper)
வெள்ளி - Veḷḷi (Silver)
ரத்தினம் - Rattinam (Gems)

Related Styles

Styles
Maratha architecture style
Modern Indian Temple Architecture
Dravidian architecture style
Vijayanagara architecture style
Nagara architecture style
Temple architecture
Palace architecture
Temple art
Chola art
Mughal art
Temple architecture style
Sculpture
Rajput architecture style
Kerala Temple Architecture
Traditional Indian Architecture
Tibetan architecture style
Mughal architecture
Gupta architecture style
South Indian temple architecture style
South Indian temple art
Mughal jewelry
Nepali Temple Architecture
Himalayan Art
Dravidian architecture
Nagara architecture
South Indian Temple Architecture
Mughal Art
Tibetan Architecture
Himalayan architecture style
South Indian temple architecture
Chola architecture style
Chola metalwork

Related Categories

Categories
Temple
Mandir
Statue
Palace
Idol
Artifact
Statues
Temples
Palaces
Sculptures
Monastery
Ornament
Jewelry
Coin
Sculpture
Jewellery
Kalasha
Idols

Conservation Notes

Notes
  • Susceptible to tarnishing
  • Requires gentle cleaning with soft cloths
  • Avoid abrasive cleaners
  • Susceptible to abrasion
  • Requires gentle cleaning with soft brushes
  • Potential for theft necessitates security measures
  • Susceptible to theft
  • Requires careful handling during cleaning
  • Potential for damage from improper cleaning agents
  • Requires careful handling
  • Can be damaged by harsh cleaning agents
  • Potential for theft
  • Surface abrasion
  • Loss of gilding
  • Requires gentle cleaning
  • Potential for galvanic corrosion with dissimilar metals
  • Relatively inert, but can be damaged by abrasion or chemical attack. Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials. Loss of adhesion can occur in gilded surfaces.
  • Resistant to corrosion
  • Relatively resistant to corrosion
  • Requires careful handling to avoid scratches
  • Cleaning with mild detergents
  • Relatively inert but can be damaged by abrasion
  • Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials
  • Theft is a major concern
  • Tarnishing due to sulfur compounds
  • Avoid harsh chemicals
  • Vulnerable to theft
  • Requires careful handling and secure storage
  • Risk of theft necessitates security measures
  • Susceptible to abrasion and scratching
  • Requires careful handling and cleaning
  • Relatively inert but susceptible to abrasion
  • May require re-gilding over time
  • Susceptible to abrasion and tarnishing.
  • Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials.
  • Potential for theft; requires secure storage.
  • Relatively inert but susceptible to scratching
  • Can be damaged by improper cleaning
  • Protection from physical damage
  • Susceptible to scratching
  • Tarnish removal
  • Requires gentle cleaning with soft materials
  • Requires gentle cleaning with soft brushes and mild detergents
  • Handle with care to avoid scratching
  • May tarnish in polluted environments
  • Protection from theft
  • Risk of theft
  • Relatively inert and resistant to corrosion

Recommended Sources

TitleTypeNotes
Gold in Indian TemplesArticleAnalysis of gold usage and conservation in Indian temples
Geological Survey of India ReportsTechnical ReportGold deposits in India
Gold in Ancient IndiaBookHistorical use of gold in Indian art
Ancient Indian MetallurgyHistorical ResearchGold usage in India
Gold in Ancient IndiaBookHistorical uses and metallurgy
ASI Technical BulletinTechnical ReportMaterial analysis
National Museum Institute ReportsTechnical ReportGilding techniques and conservation
Archaeological Survey of India ReportsArchaeological ReportAnalysis of gold artifacts from temples
Archaeometallurgy StudiesJournal ArticleGold analysis in artifacts
National Museum Institute Conservation ReportsTechnical ReportGold conservation techniques
National Museum Conservation Institute PublicationsTechnical ReportGold conservation
Indian Gold: Sources and TechnologyBookHistorical use of gold in India
National Museum Conservation ReportsTechnical ReportGilding analysis
Archaeological Chemistry JournalJournalAnalysis of gold artifacts
Gold in Ancient IndiaBookGold mining and usage in Indian history
Geological Survey of India ReportsTechnical ReportGold ore analysis
Gems and Jewellery in Ancient IndiaBookDetails on gold usage in jewelry
Archaeological Survey of India ReportsTechnical ReportGilding techniques and conservation
ASI Technical BulletinTechnical ReportGilding techniques
World Gold Council PublicationsTechnical ReportGold properties and applications
World Gold Council ReportsReportGold properties and applications
Ancient Indian MetallurgyAcademic PublicationUse of gold in ancient India
Journal of GemmologyTechnical ReportMetal properties
Archaeological ChemistryAcademic PublicationAnalysis of gold artifacts
Gold in Indian History and CultureBookDetails on gold usage and symbolism

Heritage Sites (1)

Site NameStatusUsageConfidence
Kapaleeshwarar Temple Mylapore
Primary
100%

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