A high-resolution, professional studio photograph of a Dhokra brass elephant figurine from Bastar, India. The sculpture features intricate lost-wax casting details with spiraling wire patterns and geometric tribal motifs. Set against a warm, minimalist parchment-colored background with soft shadows, the lighting highlights the golden-bronze metallic sheen and weathered texture of the antique-style artifact. Luxury museum presentation aesthetic.

Close-up detailed macro shot of Dhokra metalwork texture showing the individual bronze threads and geometric tribal patterns. The metal has a warm antique gold finish with natural oxidation in the crevices. Minimalist composition on a cream background, emphasizing the handcrafted artisan quality of Bastar tribal art.

The Sacred Gaja
Elephant of Wisdom

Dhokra Bell Metal Art • Kondagaon, Bastar

"A vessel of memories, cast in the lost-wax tradition of the central highlands. The Gaja represents the profound wisdom of the forest, a bridge between the celestial and the terrestrial."

₹ 14,500

In Stock

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The Bastar Process

Lost Wax,
Found Soul.

Every Dhokra artifact begins with a dream of clay. A core is sculpted from rice husk and soil, then intricately wrapped in fine beeswax threads. This "lost-wax" technique—one of the oldest known to mankind—ensures that no two pieces are ever identical.

The Gaja (Elephant) is a central motif in Bastar tribal mythology. It symbolizes the heavy burden of wisdom and the gentle strength required to protect the community. The geometric patterns adorning its back are symbolic of the agricultural cycles and the interconnectivity of the forest ecosystem.

The final casting in bell metal (a copper-based alloy) requires precise temperature control, managed through traditional pit furnaces fueled by local timber.

Action shot of a tribal artisan from Bastar working with hot molten metal in a traditional furnace. The scene is atmospheric with orange embers, dark shadows, and a focused expression on the artisan's face. The composition emphasizes the raw, visceral nature of the Dhokra casting process in a rustic village setting. High contrast, warm lighting.

capture

A dignified portrait of a master Dhokra artisan, a man in his late 50s with weathered skin and hands stained by metal and clay. He wears traditional Indian attire. The portrait is shot in a soft, natural light-filled workshop in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The mood is respectful, focusing on the artist's expertise and legacy.

Master Artisan

Sukhnath Baghel

"When I work the wax, I feel the whispers of my grandfathers. This is not just metal; it is the breath of our village, Kondagaon, captured in a solid form."

Sukhnath has been practicing Dhokra art for over 40 years. As a community leader in the local artisan guild, he has mentored three generations of craftsmen, ensuring that the ancient Bastar legacy thrives in the modern world. Every piece he creates carries his personal signature—a unique spiral motif hidden in the base.

Village

Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh

Experience

40+ Years

Curation

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The Sacred Gaja Elephant of Wisdom