Typically Brass is an alloy of two parts copper and one of zinc. However, in the past, these proportions were variable. The craftsmen of Moradabad, mostly Muslims, describe the usual alloy as being half copper, a quarter Zinc and the remainder waste Brass from a multitude of sources, including old vehicle radiators.

Although the basic casting process is now almost mechanized, the craft still falls under the handicraft category because of the fine hand engraving. At the initial stages of the production process, the basic form is first created. Plain but completed articles are then sent for 'Repouss' work.For Repouss working, the pots and bowls are first filled with molten mixture of lacquer or resin, brickdust and oil and then put into cold water for setting. This supports the thin metal sheet while the pattern is beaten into it. When the design is completed, the vessels are inverted on a frame and heated with a blowlamp so that the mixture melts and flows out, ready to be used again.

Most of the Brass articles are sand-cast. To meet the increasing demand, the casting work has been almost productionised. The process involves teams of three or four men who regularly manufacture a large number of identical pieces, often cast in several sections. A small Brass vase may be casted in four parts -the neck, the centre as two hemispheres, and a base. If possible, there is more than one section being cast at the same time. The entire production cycle from melting and casting to joining, scraping, engraving and polishing takes about four to six weeks.

The Brass artifacts of Moradabad, displayed at the IHE, are mostly handpicked or custom-made designs, which are plain polished or exquisitely hand painted using lacquer or enamel. Apart from these pure brass forms, sculpted or carved, one can even admire rich brass-inlay work with semi-precious stones adding a new   dimension to these objects d'art. With wide commercialization and a huge international demand, the artifacts of Moradabad are now being designed to meet international design tastes and trends. IHE, however, still focuses largely on Moghul/ Muslim design traditions in Brass artifacts.

One of the key artifacts which attracts almost all visitors is 'Aftawa', the traditional wine pots, often seen in paintings depicting court scenes of various Indian Kings. The slender and soft form, retained even in huge sizes, make 'Aftawas' highly admirable and desirable. Produced in various sizes, they also adore different kind of exteriors, from plain finish, hand painted to beautifully inlayed with semi-precious stones.

Another object of high curiosity value is the Punch Ball Set. The sheer size of the set turns eyes and is fascinating because of its fabulous artistry.

Numerous other items which catches fancy include flower pots and vases, planters, fruit bowls, figurretes /sculptures, candle stands, trays, wall decorations, bells, lamps etc.