Saora Tribal Jeri Wine Pipe From Orissa - Ca 1920's

This dhokra brass pot belonged to the Saora tribe from the Puttasing locale of Rayagada region of Orissa and is around 100 years old dating to the early 20th century. Jeri were wine pipes used by shamans as ritual offerings to their gods, both benevolent and malevolent. 

The Saora tribe practice slash & burn agriculture and grow mostly tobacco, maize chilli and fruits and vegetables. The Lanjia Saora tribe do not worship one single supreme deity, unlike the majority of other Orissan tribes. 

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 a beeswax oil mix and then coated with clay which creates the mould. Once dried, it is fired where 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 object. The casting is then cleaned and finer details are carved to finish the piece.

References:

A near identical example can be found in the Odisha State Tribal Museum in Bhubaneshwar.

For further reading see The Orissa Review ISSN 0970-8669, Tribal Religion of Odisha: Its Change & Continuity

See The Tribal Tribune: Beyond Spears & Feathers ISSN: 2249 3433 for further reading on the Lanjia Saora tribe.

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