Dhokra tribal art

 

 

Dhokra-Nepal Brass figurine statue of dancing Krishna

I acquired this charming Dhokra statue of dancing Krishna from an artist selling his wares on the roadside in Kathmandu

height 12 inches

 

 

Dhokra Art

 

Dhokra is an ancient folk art tradition prevalent in India in the eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Dhokra craft objects are made through the process of non-ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique, which is one of the earliest and most advanced methods of metal casting known to human civilization. Its roots can be traced back 4500 years to the ancient city of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley Civilization.
The name Dokra or Dhokra was used to indicate a group of craftsmen of nomadic type from the Dhokra Damar tribe, scattered over the regions of Bengal, Orisa and Madhya Pradash, whose wares were identified by their beautifully shaped and decorated metal products. The enchanting Dhokra art objects have motifs inspired by indigenous folk culture and are characterized by a primitive, instinctive style. The main hallmark of the Dokra ornamental sculptures and goods is simplicity, charming folk motifs, a rustic beauty and imaginative, intricate designs and patterns.

 

 

 

Dokra goddess figure with sun wall plaque

 

The ancient Dhokra technique

Using inspiration from their mythology, environment and simple rituals, the Dhokra sculptor makes a core model of clay from fine riverbed soil mixed with coal dust and rice husks, as this mixture brilliantly takes on the textures and shapes of the later applications of wax, resulting in a perfect inner wall of the mold. After it has dried, it is decorated with strings of wax to create fine detailing and patterns. The Dhokra artisans use a mixture of bee’s wax, resins from the tree ‘Damara Orientallis’ and nut oil to make the dough soft and malleable.

 

Mixing clay for dhokra art sculptures Photo---Parul-Bajoria

Mixing fine river bed clay with coal dust and rice husk

Photo — Parul Bajoria

 

 

The-picture-above-shows-that-the-wax-structure-(one-in-black)-is-an-exact-replica-of-the-final-metal-structure

The black wax structure (right) is an exact replica of the final brass metal owl.

 

Next in the process is the application of small amounts of a fine clay paste over the wax replica which is then dried out in the shade. This is followed by applying a thicker outer layer of a red soil and rice husk mixture, which have holes on the top for adding the molten metals. The piece is sundried and then fired in the ‘Bhatti’ (traditional kiln), where the wax melts and exits the mould. The final stage is pouring molten brass through the same holes.

 

mud-on-the-owl-On-top-of-the-wax-structure,-wet-mud-is-rubbed-all-over.-This-takes-the-impression-of-the-wax-model

Fine wet mud is applied on top of the wax sculpture to create an outer mould.. This takes the impression of the wax model.

 

 

Dhokra creation by pouring molten brass into the wax loss moulds

Creating Dhokra forms by pouring molten brass/bronze into the wax loss moulds

 

This technique of casting revolves around replacement of wax loss crevices with molten metal by the traditional hollow casting method. After cooling, the cast is then removed to be given the finishing touches of cleaning and polishing.

Folk art objects such as men and women in their daily chores, elephants, musicians, dancers, horses, temple deities, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets are popular. Although no longer nomadic, there are still clusters of Dhokra artisans in Bengal, as can be found in a small village called Bikna, just outside of Bankura town.

 

 

breaking the outer Dhokra moulds - gaatha,com

Final Dhokra procedure of breaking the outer mould before finishing touches

gaatha.com

 

 

6-dhokra-art-kushal-bhansali

Nandi Bull – Kushal Bhansali

Brass & bronze Dhokra sculpture – Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh , India

8 x 6 inches

 

Indian-Dhokra-wall-art from Brass, Nickel and Zinc

Indian Dhokra wall art

 

 

ganesha-riding-elephant-with-two-consorts-riddhi-HK46_l

Ganesha riding an elephant

 

 

 

Antique Dhokra vessel with handle

Antique tri legged Dhokra pot

Priyanka Singh, Pinterest

 

 

Dhokra metal sculpture - man sitting on a peacock

Dhokra sculpture of a man seated on a peacock

 

 

Dhokra head busts from Basta

Dhokra head sculptures from Basta, Chattishgarh

 

 

Bikna--The-Last-Dokra-Village---Flickr---Photo-Sharing-

Dhokra sculpture figurines

Bikna, India

 

 

 

Dhokra brass-lantern-Shreeya-Handicrafts

Dhokra brass lantern

Shreeya Handicrafts

 

 

Indian-Nutcracker-Brass-Horse

Indian brass nutcracker horse

( bought in an antique store in Mumbai )

 

 

Tri legged lidded Dhokra vessel with peacock lid

Peacock lidded Dhokra vessel

 

 

dhokra_lady-Dhokra---Tribal-Art-of-Odisha

Reclining female Dokra figurine

Tribal Art of Odisha

 

 

Dhokra-Art---Nandi the bull and a lion

Dhokra Art – Nandi bull and Lion

Advaita

 

 

dhokra-jewelry twin fish Pices earrings

Dhokra Pisces earrings

 

 

Dhokra-Planter

Dhokra planter with succulants

 

 

 

Dhokra-head sculpture-–-Bastar-district

Dhokra head bust

Bastar district

 

 

 

Dokra elephant

Dhokra elephant

 

 

Dhokra-Tribal-Pen-Stand - bass-nickel -zinc

Tribal Pen Stand

Bastar Arts

 

 

 

Horse-Handcrafted-Bastar-Dhokra-Tribe-India

Handcrafted Dhokra horse

Bastar Tribe, India

 

 

3 men riding a Dhokra horse

Dhokra Art – Three men riding a horse

 

 

 

Dhokra-Queen head bust

Dhokra Queen

Culture Art Group

 

 

 

 

Dhokra art sculptures Advaita

Dhokra tribal art

Advaita

 

 

Lakshmi Saraswati and Ganesha-Dhokra statues

Saraswati, Ganesh and Lakshmi Dhokra statues

 

 

 

Pechak-Pedi---Owl-Coffer---RoadsWellTraveled---Sithulia-community-of-Orissa's-Dhenkanal-district

Pechak Pedi Owl Coffer  – Sithulia community of Orissa’s Dhenkanal district

RoadsWellTraveled

 

Gifts---Products---Advaita---Dhokra-lantern

Dhokra lantern and incense censer

Advaita

 

 

 

Pedi---Oval Coffer---RoadsWellTraveled

Oval lidded vessel  – Pechak Pedi

Sithulia community of Orissa’s Dhenkanal district

RoadsWellTraveled

 

 

 

The-Tribal-Art-Of-Dokra-Craft---Flickr---Pallab-Seth-Artisan-pasting-clay-over-the-(black)-wax-replica

Dhokra artisan pasting clay over wax model

Flickr—Pallab Seth

 

 

 

Three-Men-Rowing-a-Mayurpankhi-Boat

Three Men Rowing a Mayurpankhi Boat in Dhokra style

 

 

 

Tribal Lady - Sculpture Dhokra Art

Dhokra tribal mask

 

 

Brass-with-Stone-Work---Ganesh-Sitting

A seated brass Ganesha with mosaic stones

 

 

Dhokra Horse-with-Wings

Horse with Wings

 

 

 

 

13 Comments

  1. sana gazi
    Posted August 11, 2016 at 6:50 pm | Permalink

    this is just amazing
    can i have this artisan contact please

  2. Robbie I. Hood
    Posted August 11, 2016 at 7:35 pm | Permalink

    http://advaitahandicrafts.com/collections/home-decor/Home?page=2
    http://www.bastararts.com/products.asp?id=389342556&id1=Traditional&id2=1

  3. Posted March 5, 2017 at 1:48 am | Permalink

    I need some thngs I need all sale price

  4. JALALI ALIREZA
    Posted May 25, 2017 at 11:58 am | Permalink

    Hi
    We needs many thngs
    We needs wholesale price
    And wats up no
    00989199193860

  5. Harishchandra Gupta
    Posted March 9, 2018 at 1:10 am | Permalink

    I need these products can u send me link or seller number or sellers site

  6. Shrestha
    Posted March 11, 2018 at 1:52 pm | Permalink

    i want to learn Dhokra Art please contact me .

  7. abhishek jajodia
    Posted July 21, 2018 at 2:17 pm | Permalink

    I want to purchase dhokra art product at regular basis, Please contact me 08949282558, jaipur

  8. Bharat chandan
    Posted October 11, 2018 at 5:51 am | Permalink

    I am interested

  9. Posted December 12, 2018 at 10:51 pm | Permalink

    Amazing informations and crafts. I have bought a showpiece just few days ago from
    http://www.nirjas.com/product-category/bengal-handcrafted-products/

  10. Deepak
    Posted February 13, 2019 at 10:28 pm | Permalink

    Call me for dhokra art sculptures of any size. 9128916570

  11. Dev
    Posted February 23, 2019 at 2:58 pm | Permalink

    Hi there,

    I deal with all sort of dhokra items espcially from odisha. interested buyers please do contact me on this number.. We can supply any amount or any period of time round the year. we have got the award winning dhokra artisans and we are supplying to all parts of india and worldwide. call me on +919337766222 Dev

  12. Snigdhendu kumar Sha
    Posted June 30, 2019 at 11:37 am | Permalink

    Hello, I feel immense pleasure to know that your site has been introduced one of my creation, a tribal mask on wooden face, for selling. Thanks for your initiation. I am an inbuilt craft designer and working last 30years with the decaying and lesser known crafts of Bengal. Side by side, I am a manufacturer-exporter of my creations and antique reproductions which is mu specialty. For more information can contact me in my mail – [email protected]

  13. Snigdhendu kumar Sha
    Posted June 30, 2019 at 11:40 am | Permalink

    Hello, nice to see my creation, a tribal dokra mask on wooden face, in your blog.For more innovative designs or for more information can contact me in my mail – [email protected]

One Trackback

  1. By Cruising thru the clayniverse on October 8, 2017 at 12:02 am

    […] ‘Dhokra tribal art’ […]

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared.