A brass foundry on Pala Road, Aligarh

Who we are

Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh has been known for brass and metal casting for generations, and its workshops supply much of the brassware sold across India and abroad. Brass Bells is the brassware business of Sun Shield Store, working from Pala Road in Aligarh with local casters, chasers and polishers.

We sell online so that buyers abroad can order directly from the people who make the pieces, without layers of traders in between. Our catalogue has 411 designs, from 1-inch miniature idols to temple statues over seven feet tall, and we ship to buyers in more than 50 countries.

How our brass is made

Most of our pieces are made by traditional sand casting, the method Aligarh is known for:

1. Pattern. A master model of the design is pressed into specially prepared casting sand to form a mould.
2. Pouring. Molten brass is poured into the mould and left to cool and set.
3. Fettling and chasing. The rough casting is broken out of the sand, then filed, and its details are sharpened by hand with chisels.
4. Finishing. Each piece is buffed and polished, patinated in antique or two-tone finishes, or set with coloured stone work.

Because every piece is cast and finished by hand, no two are exactly alike; small variations in weight and finish are part of the craft. Read more in our article on the secrets of sand casting.

Who we work with

• Importers and wholesalers stocking Indian décor and religious goods.
• Retailers and gift shops looking for steady designs at wholesale prices.
• Temples and community centres commissioning large idols and bells.
• Hotels, restaurants and interior designers furnishing lobbies, suites and event spaces.