Aranmula mirrors

This village of Aranmula is famous for its unique mirrors. The reflective surface is a highly polished alloy whose composition has been kept secret for generations. The molten metal is poured into mud moulds and when cold id polished by hand. The mirror is then set in a beautifully decorated brass frame. We watched the metal being heated in a charcoal fire and then poured into the pan to be purified before the final melting. This took place beneath a rough lean-to shelter by men who wore no shoes ! We were then shown round the family home which was full of mirror in various states of polish and construction . The lady of the house smiled and said that her house had been turned into the workshop. Our host told us that he had recently made one 22 inch mirror that is now housed in the British Museum along with one that was gifted to Queen Victoria and made in the same village by the same method so many years ago.