Question

Q2. Bronze statues of the Chola period were very popular for their beauty and finesse. Describe 'Bell Metal method for making Bonze
Sculpture.​

Answer 1

Explanation:

bell metal has been and is used for the casting of high-quality bells. The metal used is a high-tin alloy of copper and tin with approximately a 4:1 ratio of copper to tin (78% copper, 22% tin).[4] This is a much higher tin component than that used in statuary bronze.

Answer 2

Chola Bronze Statues were an epitome of Indian Metal Art from Chola

Explanation:

• Bronze images originated in the desire to take the Gods out of the temples in palanquins. Given that this could not be achieved with huge stone idols, smaller metal graven idols were light and easy to carry, which later came to be known as Utsav murtis or festival idols.
• The Chola period was an age in which Dravidian art & architecture constantly developed and perfected and because of which sculptures in bronze were so refined. Bell metal is a form of bronze with a "higher tin content".
• Bell metal as a craft has survived for ages, however,  there seems to be very little transition in the method of preparing bell metal items
• The shaping of an object is achieved either by pounding an ingot (or sheet), with a hammer to its "approximate shapes", while it is hot, or by putting the molten metal into a mold, which is made of clay for ordinary goods and wax for fragile items
• Especially for bell metal, the beating method is preferred because the item can become more durable. In fact, the tempering is achieved by heating the element until it is hot red and then dipping into cold water. If in this process the hammering light turns black, it can be rectified.