Copper: The Alchemic Metal
Copper is one of the oldest known metals to be used by any culture, civilization or pre-civilized society.
Copper has been surviving and thriving on earth for over ten thousand years. Even earlier. Also known as ‘The Jewelry of Kitchen’, the pinkish orange metal has adorned both the kitchenware, technological instruments as well as the decorative material for decades. Before transitioning into the age of bronze, copper was perhaps one of the most used metals in the history especially in Asia, Europe, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Let’s dive into the history of copper and see how coppersmiths, though not much renowned, were one of the most important communities hundreds of years ago.
Owing to its high conductivity, durability and resistance to corrosion, Copper is considered as an excellent material for utensils and kitchenware. Plus, its price is an added advantage. You will find copper utensils of all shapes and sizes in every price range. From a house to a roadside dhaba to a five star restaurant, there are copper vessels everywhere in different forms including pots, pans, casseroles, bowls and trays.
To know more about how the dawn of copper utensils came about to be, read on.
The Mesopotamian Era
Interestingly, copper was used as an alternative to stones. The earliest evidence of copper utensils were discovered from Mesopotamia especially from regions of Sumerians. Even earlier, nearly ten thousand years ago, copper was utilized to carve weapons and tools like spearheads, razors, pins and arrows. Although today, Chile is the largest producer of copper in the world, the Mesopotamians are earliest known for giving life to this multipurpose metal as cookware.
You will find ancient copper vessels lined up in a showroom, a museum or an art gallery in the form of drinking pots, glasses, trays, patty moulds, pans, plates, jugs and even in cutlery.
The Egyptian Era
In Egypt, Copper was conceived during 2700 BC. At that time, it was used in creation of water pipelines and sewage systems in Egyptian villages. Later on, its use expanded to copper artistry, copper cookware, copper vessels and different kinds of copper instruments.
Egyptian tombs along with crafts and carvings are some of the finest examples of how copper was considered to be a metal of importance, employed in history. In the kitchen, Egyptians were known for crafting copper cutlery including ladles, tongs and knives. Copper utensils like plates, trays, pots and pans were also prominent.
Also known as ‘Chalkos’, the metal was especially employed to create the copper vessels for temples of Egypt along with other adornments like obelisks, drums, pillars, mirrors and tombs. Even the chisels used in the pyramids were created using copper.
The Eastern Era
By the end of 3000 BC, the charm of copper began spreading throughout eastern countries specifically China, India and Turkey, while being prominent in India. Read on.
Copper Evolution in India
India has a long-established history in the evolution of copper. By the end of 16th century tunnel, copper industry was already mushrooming in villages, nooks, yards and mills. Entering the pipeline of 17th century India saw the copper age in an entirely new light. From palaces to slums, from monuments to roadside stalls, from kings to farmers, copper was everywhere. Plus the transition from clay utensils to metal ones played a significant role in creating a remarkable copper revolution in Indian subcontinent.
To name a few...
Source: https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Culture/Indian-Culture/History-of-Copper-Utensils-1.aspx
The Enchanted Metal
Have you ever wondered how copper was made?
Watch this video and learn how the ancients created copper from some of the most magical and powerful CRYSTALS on our planet...
Making copper the ancient way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO747eWvGME
MALACHITE
"The Stone of Transformation"
Chakra: Heart, Throat, Third-eye
Element: Earth
Metaphysical Properties: Immediate and Powerful transformation; Calming; Loyalty; Leadership; Protection; Wisdom; Comfort; Balance; Peace; Self-understanding; Positive transformation; Healing
Protects the auric field by creating a strong barrier around the wearer energetically; Reminds the wearer about the duality of nature (it is up to each person to know and rule their own person); Fills one’s energy field with pos