Dhokra Mango Coin Purse From Bengal - 19th Century

This Indian bronze money box is made in the shape of a mango fruit using the dhokra lost wax technique. It is from the West of India, around Orissa and Bengal. 

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 is mixed with a little oil. When finished the entire piece is coated with clay made from termite hills to create the mould. The mould is then 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. When cool the clay mould is broken off exposing the cast bronze figure. The casting is then cleaned and finer details are carved to finish the piece. 

References:

For similar examples see 'India - Village, Tribal, Ritual Art' by Mingei International Museum of Folk Art, page 19.

Similar examples can be found in Unknown Masterpieces of Indian Folk & Tribal Art by S Aryan & B.N. Aryan, fig 387. 

From India

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