DISCOVER THE ANCIENT ART OF DHOKRA METAL CASTING
Dokra or Dhokra is a very ancient form of metal casting technique that originated in India around 2300 BCE. Dhokra is considered as one of oldest and finest techniques of ancient metal art, traces of which can be found in Mohenjo-daro Harappan civilization (2300-1750 BCE) in the form of the famous figurine of the famous dancing girl. This primitive yet unique art that’s almost 4500 years old has stupefied many a person over centuries and shows the adeptness of our ancient Indian artists who created such marvels during their times.
OUR RANGE OF ANTIQUE DHOKRA METAL ART
The word DOKRA or DHOKRA originated from the tribe that invented this art; known as the Dokra Damar tribe. Dokra art flourished in and around Bankura and Dariyapur, Bardhaman in West Bengal, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. During present times, this art is kept alive by the tribals residing in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and Telangana. This wonderful art is singular in its appeal and the tribal villagers of West Bengal over time developed and created it with such finesse and precision that they have earned the prestigious All India Artisans and Craftworkers’ Welfare Association (AIACA) Craftmark Award. (Craftmark [craftmark.org] is a certification from AIACA under which Genuine Handicraft Products that are crafted/ produced in a socially responsible manner are authenticated and certified. AIACA develops a sector-wide, process-specific standards and norms for labeling a product as hand-made and increases consumer awareness of distinct handicraft traditions. In the book Crafts of West Bengal by Prabhas Sen, we come to know how the Dokra artists of West Bengal moved from one village to another selling their hand crafted Dokra metal idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Lakshmi Narayan and Lord Krishna;
The idols of Gods and Goddesses were considered very auspicious by the village folks. Dhokra metal casting art uses the ancient lost-wax technique also called cire perdue in French; it’s truly unique an art in the sense that it uses copper, brass and bronze. All these metals being non-ferrous, they do not have the possibility of oxidation, aka rusting. Annealing is the method that’s applied in creating Dhokra art. Annealing is the method of heating metal at a very high temperature and then allowing it to cool down gradually. After cooling down, the final shape of the figurine/statuette takes its form. The entire process of this metal casting technique is complicated, tedious and long-drawn and could even take 1 to 2 months for a single piece of art.
To create a Dhokra figure, initially clay is mixed with rice husk and the two ingredients are mixed thoroughly to give a smooth texture and prevent the figures from cracking. Next the clay is shaped by hand to give it a shape as desired by the artist. The figures are then let out to dry in the sun for 2 days after which fine clay and cow dung are mixed and applied on the dried figures. Water is also used to make the surface of the figures smooth and even.
Thereafter, the artists take beeswax, oil and frankincense and heat then together in a pot until the mixture turns into a liquid state. The artists check the concentration of the liquid from time to time, and then the liquid is strained in a container and allowed to cool down. The wax is then put inside a wooden pressing machine that has small holes at the bottom, so when the wax is pressed from the top, it stretches the wax and helps the wax to come out in long strains. This is a time consuming process and requires patience and perseverance. After that the clay model is smoothed. Next the wax strains are carefully wrapped around the clay model. The designs made with the wax on the clay models create an impression on them. Moreover, the artist also ensures that the wax strains don’t break while they’re getting wrapped. Designing is done at this stage and it might take an entire day to create the designs on the sculpture.
Dokra figurines
Dokra Tribal Jewellery
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