Dhokra — Metal Cast in the Image of an Ancient World

There is a bronze figurine in a museum in New Delhi that is over 4,500 years old. She stands barely eleven centimetres tall, one hand on her hip, the other loose at her side — and she was made using the same technique that Dhokra artisans in Odisha (India) use today. The lost-wax method, or cire perdue, is among the oldest known metalworking processes in the world, traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. That an unbroken line of craft knowledge connects Mohenjo-daro to a tribal workshop in Dhenkanal or Mayurbhanj today is not a marketing claim — it is simply what the history shows. This collection includes Dhokra brass craft pieces, each made entirely by hand using this ancient process by artisan communities in Odisha.

How a Dhokra Piece Is Made

The process begins with a clay core — shaped by hand from a mixture of rice husk and black soil and left to dry in the sun. Over this, the artisan applies beeswax mixed with resin from the Damara orientalis tree and nut oil, pressing the mixture through a mould to produce long coiled strands. These wax strands are wrapped around the clay form and worked by hand into the design — figures, motifs, geometric patterns — with fine details carved directly into the wax surface. The entire piece is then encased in multiple layers of clay, with small channels left open for the wax to escape. When the mould is fired, the wax melts out completely — hence "lost wax" — and molten brass is poured into the hollow space left behind. Once cooled, the clay is broken open to reveal the cast piece, which is then filed, polished, and finished by hand.

Because the mould is destroyed to release each piece, it can never be used again. No two Dhokra pieces are ever identical.

In Odisha, the craft is practised in pockets across Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Rayagada districts, by communities including the Sithulia, Ghantara, and Chitraghasi. Motifs draw from tribal life, nature, mythology, and ritual — elephants, horses, peacocks, deities, dancing figures, mother-and-child forms, and geometric patterns rooted in the visual language of eastern India's tribal communities.

What to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Dhokra Piece

Surface character — Dhokra has a naturally textured, organic surface with a warm antique finish. This is intrinsic to the lost-wax process and is distinctly different from the smooth uniformity of machine-cast or electroplated metal. Asymmetry — minor asymmetries in form and surface finish are expected and are the mark of a handcast piece. Weight — solid cast pieces are denser than hollow cast; product pages carry specific weight and dimension details. Motif — each piece carries motifs specific to the artisan community and region; product pages provide details where available.

---

A Few Things Worth Knowing

What is Dhokra and where does it come from?

Dhokra is a non-ferrous metal casting tradition using the lost-wax technique — one of the oldest metalworking processes in the world, dating back over 4,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilisation. In Odisha (India), it is practised by tribal artisan communities in districts including Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Rayagada, each with its own regional style and motifs.

Why is no two Dhokra pieces identical?

Because the clay mould must be broken open to release the cast piece, each mould can only ever be used once. This means every Dhokra piece is, by the nature of the process itself, one of a kind — not as a selling point, but as an unavoidable fact of how the craft works.

Will my piece look exactly like the one in the photograph?

Not exactly. Each piece is handcast and carries natural variations in surface texture, colour, and finish intrinsic to the lost-wax process. Minor asymmetries in form are expected and are the mark of authentic hand casting. Product photographs are taken under controlled lighting and may appear differently across various screen settings and devices. These are not defects — they are what makes each piece genuinely one of a kind. Read our Disclaimer before purchase.

How do I identify an authentic Dhokra piece?

An authentic Dhokra piece has a naturally textured, slightly irregular surface with a warm antique finish that is distinctly different from machine-cast or electroplated metal. The form will carry minor asymmetries consistent with hand casting, and the motifs will show the organic quality of work shaped in wax by hand. When in doubt about any piece in our collection, feel free to reach out to us before purchasing.

How do I care for my Dhokra piece?

Please refer to the Care Guide on your product page for specific care instructions.

Can I place a bulk or personalised order for Dhokra pieces?

Yes — for personalised pieces or bulk and corporate requirements, please fill up this form or reach out to us directly with your requirements and we will be happy to help.