Kondh Dhokra Bronze Deer From Orissa - 19th Century

This charming votive deer statue is from the tribal area of Kandhamal, Orissa. These tribal statues were used as votives by Khond (also spelled Kondh or Gond) tribes like the Desia Kandha tribe. These statues date to the 19th century and would have been passed down through generations and worshipped to protect against the wild animals of the forest.  It is likely this deer is the sambar deer, an animal unique to Orissa and the state animal of Orissa / Odisha. 

Crafted using the dhokra or lost wax technique; beeswax is mixed with a little oil and kneaded well to soften it. The figure is then sculpted from this wax mixture, fashioning all the minute details. When finished the entire figure is then 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 model melts leaving an empty clay mould. The mould is then heated and molten brass or bronze is poured into the empty clay-mould. When the mould is entirely filled it is left to cool.

The clay mould is then broken off exposing the cast bronze figure. The casting is then cleaned, finer details are carved, and blemishes are removed.

A similar example can be found in the Odisha State Tribal Museum. 

From Kandhamal, Orissa, India

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