Bastar Dhokra Art
Ancient Lost-Wax Metal Castings
Ancient non-ferrous lost-wax metal castings dating back over 4,000 years. Artisans craft highly detailed tribal motifs, animal figurines, and bells with a characteristic wire-work finish.
Historical Pedigree
Bastar Dhokra Art represents an unbroken metallurgical tradition dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Using the intricate lost-wax casting technique (Cire Perdue), master metalsmiths of the Gadwa community create highly detailed non-ferrous metal artifacts. Each item is constructed from a unique clay core, wound with hand-drawn beeswax threads to form fine detailed patterns, covered in protective clay layers, and heated. The wax melts out, leaving a channel for molten brass alloy to take its exact shape. Because the mold is broken to retrieve the metal, no two Dhokra castings are identical.
Historical Background: Associated with the nomadic Gadwa tribe of Central India, this craft has preserved ancient metallurgic cast processes for over four millennia, serving as ritual metal objects and tribal representations.
Handcrafting Process
Unlike machine-produced alternatives, every item is crafted manually through a rigorous sequence of heritage techniques passed down through generations.
Technical & Sourcing Specifications
| Raw Materials | Recycled Brass Scrap (Base alloy)Pure Beeswax (For pattern threads)Damar Kemikal (Sal tree resin binder)Riverbed clay and red soil mixMustard Oil (Mold release) |
| Regional Pedigree | District: Kondagaon | State: Chhattisgarh | Country: India |
| GI Certification | Registered (GI Tag No. 83) (Guarantees authentic geographical origin and prevents counterfeit manufacturing) |
| Eco & Fair Trade | 100% recycled scrap metals, organic clay and beeswax, minimal carbon footprint, supporting indigenous tribal artisans. |
Sourcing Portfolio Applications
These authentic lines are ideally suited for luxury hospitality environments, premium retail inventories, and architectural integrations.
Tribal figurines and deity sculptures
Traditional bells and hollow windchimes
Commercial door handles and cabinet hardware
Decorative tea-light holders
Wall plaques and frames
Production & Detail Gallery
Packaging & Export Logistics
Packaging Standards
Wrapped in heavy bubble wrap or honeycomb sheets, double-boxed in high-density shockproof shipping crates to prevent fragile alloy breakage.
Container & Freight Allocation
Packed in custom wood crates for ocean freight. Supports LCL pallet consolidation out of Mumbai port.
Customization & OEM / ODM
OEM support for custom tribal figurine designs from client sketches or corporate commemorative designs.
Active Export Markets
Regularly dispatched to: United States, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, France. Documentations and customs declarations fully aligned.
Sourcing FAQ
What metals are used in Dhokra castings?↓
How do you clean and maintain Dhokra metal crafts?↓
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Request Wholesale Pricing &
Custom Sourcing for Bastar Dhokra Art
Partner directly with Hastava to coordinate verified artisan networks, custom sample runs (OEM/ODM), and consolidated ocean container shipments under strict quality control.