Bastar Brass Elephant From Chhattisgarh - 19th Century

This beautiful Indian bronze elephant figure is mounted with a howdah (an elephant carriage). Inside the howdah is a figure on a swing, a later 20th century addition. The main statue dates to the 19th century and is has the clear hallmarks of the Bastar tribal style.

Bastar is famed for its beautiful sculptures & statues which are crafted by the Ghasia caste using the dhokra (dokhra or dokra) or lost wax (cire perdue) technique. 

Dokra also spelled Dhokra- is a brass or bronze casting made using the lost wax technique. The process is commonly known as 'Cire Perdue.' The object to be cast is sculpted from beeswax mixed with a little oil. Once finished the entire figure is coated with clay made from termite hills to create the mould. The mould is dried and fired in an oven with cow-dung cakes. The wax melts leaving an empty clay mould in the shape to be cast. The mould is then heated and molten brass or bronze is poured into the empty clay-mould. Once cool, the clay mould is broken exposing the cast bronze figure. The casting is then cleaned and finer details are carved to finish the piece.

A similar example can be found at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery collection)

Examples of similar works were featured at a special exhibition entitled, "Street Parade of the Gods" at the Museum Rietberg in Zurich in July 2012.

• Origin: Bastar, Chhattisgarh, India
• Date: 19th century
• Materials: Brass (dokra / lost wax casting)
• Features: Elephant with howdah, mahout rider, fine tribal detail
• Condition: Excellent aged patina with minor wear consistent with age. Replaced interior figure on swing.
• Dimensions: W22 x D17 x H45 cm