This old Indian brass box is from the Dhokra tribal area of Orissa. Dokra Damar tribes are the traditional metalsmiths of West Bengal. As well as money, this box has been used for storing slaked lime used in the consumption of paan which is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. The handle is missing on this box. 

Dokra also spelt Dhokra Circa 100 yrs Old - 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 beeswax is mixed with a little oil. When finished the entire piece is coated with clay made from termite hills to create the mould. The mould is then dried and fired in an oven with cow-dung cakes. 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 piece. The casting is then cleaned and finer details are carved to finish the piece.

From India

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