Ancient, earthy, and eternal, Dhokra metalcraft is one of the oldest known techniques of metal casting, dating back over 4,000 years to the era of the Indus Valley Civilization. Practised by the nomadic Damar tribes and later rooted in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, this GI-tagged craft is famed for its use of the lost-wax casting method, through which each piece—be it a tribal figure, animal, or sacred symbol—is born uniquely, never replicated.
Crafted in bell metal (an alloy of brass, nickel, and zinc), the artefacts carry a timeless dignity, whether used as adornment or sacred décor. A Dhokra piece, especially when framed in wood or displayed with reverence, is not just a sculpture—it is a fragment of India’s prehistoric soul, passed down from generation to generation.
