Ikai Asai
Living Metal Bronze Plate
Living Metal Bronze Plate
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Ayurveda’s Ancient Healing Metal, Hand-Hammered for Modern Meals
This is bronze (kansa) as the Indus Valley conceived it: 78% copper + 22% tin, transformed through fire and collective human force. Forged by kansari karigars, this 31.7cm plate carries the weight of history (1,490g) and Ayurveda’s wisdom.
An active participant in dining - bronze is believed to balance energies, deepen flavors, and evolve into a darker, wiser version of itself over lifetimes. Designed for feasts yet sculptural enough for empty display, its patina invites you to witness history evolving in your own kitchen.
The Alchemy
At 700°C, copper and tin fuse into kansa —the ‘healing metal’ of Ayurveda. This alloy flows like liquid sunlight before meeting the hammer.
Synchronized Hammering
Three artisans strike rhythmically: one shapes the rim, another anchors the center, a third coaxes curvature. Their hammers sing in 5/4 time—a 5,000-year-old cadence turning molten history into functional art.
Living Finish Philosophy
No lacquers or sealants interrupt kansa’s dialogue with air.
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- Material: Kansa (Bronze)
- Dimensions (cm): 31.7(L) x 31.7(B) x 2.7(H); Dia: 31.7
- Dimensions (inches): 12.4(L) x 12.4(B) x 1(H); Dia: 12.4
- Weight: 1,490 grams
Cleaning Rituals
- Traditional: Scrub with tamarind (imli) paste or lemon + baking soda.
- Modern: Handwash with mild soap + soft sponge. Always dry immediately.
- Restoring Shine: Polish with vinegar-salt paste (1:2 ratio), then rinse thoroughly.
Usage Guidelines
- Serve hot meals (kansa retains warmth beautifully)
- Never microwave or store acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes)
- Do not use it to store food
- Do not use dishwashers or abrasive scrubbers
Forged in Collaboration: Made-to-Order Process
Creating heirloom bronze demands patience. Allow 2-3 weeks:
- Alloy Creation: 7 days to source/fuse metals at 700°C
- Collective Hammering: 10 days of synchronized artisan work
- Stress-Relief Annealing: 3 days of thermal cycling