Antique Dhokra Brass Bowl, India (9500B)

Description

Antique copper-based alloy bronze and brass vessels, figures, religious and functional items have long been the specialty of East Indian Dhorka Damar tribes metals smiths use the lost wax metal casting technique used for over 4000 years. It is extremely labor intensive and time-consuming process. Their folk art style of metalwork includes functional objects like this grain/rice measuring bowl which is made in different sizes.

These bowls were regarded as a symbol of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi prized by villagers who could afford them for puja home worship and placed them on home altars.

Dhokra items are beautifully and intricately decorated with simple uncomplicated forms. This charming one is a typical small grain measure with a round lip, bulging body, handle for hanging and decorated with horizontal striations across the top half bordered by a band of downward striated triangles and a broad horizontal band at the center. It is in very good condition with a smooth patina from prolonged use and its considerable age.

Using the same labor intensive and time consuming, lost wax casting process for millennia, each piece is one-of-a-kind. Like most authentic ethnographic artifacts, the number of metal smiths creating them have been declining for years. Items produced by Dhokra tribal artisans, especially antique pieces, are in demand domestically and internationally, and are collectible yet affordable.

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