Bastar Goddess Figure From Chhattisgarh - Ca 1900

This Indian cast brass dhokra figure is almost certainly Mitki and is from the Bastar tribes of Chhattisgarh. Dating to the early 20th century, Mitki is seen here carrying a basket on her shoulder with a digging stick in her right hand. 

In Bastar culture, mother goddesses usually carry weapons and a vessel for drinking the blood of sacrificial victims. Male deities were predominantly associated with ancestor worship. It is  probable this was made by the Ghadva metalsmiths, also known as Ghasias. They make their dhokrawork using the dhokra / 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.

For similar examples see:
Museums of India 'National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum New Delhi' by Jyotindra Jain & Aarti Aggarwal, page 31.
Change & Continuity: Folk & Tribal Art of India by Brian A Dursam, fig 277, 279, 280.

UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £7.50
More delivery options available at checkout