Dhokra

Mother grinding ants for her family
'Dokra' items for sale at the West Bengal State Handicrafts' Fair in New Town, Kolkata.

Dhokra (also spelt Dokra) is non–ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used. One of the earliest known lost wax artefacts is the dancing girl of Mohenjo-daro.[1] The product of dhokra artisans are in great demand in domestic and foreign markets because of primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs and forceful form. Dhokra horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets etc., are highly appreciated.[2] The lost wax technique for casting of copper based alloys has also been found in China, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Central America, and other places.

  1. ^ Della Cava, Chiara. "Metal Working in India - Lost Wax Casting". Museum of Anthropology, University of Missouri-Columbia. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  2. ^ "Dokra". Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2009-02-08.