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Fascinating Archaeological Facts on Postage Stamps - 59

2025-07-01 Tue

India boasts a rich and distinguished history of handicrafts. These handicrafts have evolved over the centuries to become a defining aspect of the country’s cultural #Heritage. Among these crafts, Dhokra metal art stands out as a significant form.

Dhokra sculptures are made up of an alloy consisting of 28% brass, 33% Zinc, and 10.6% nickel. This craft derives its name from the Dhokra Damar Community, a group of metal artisans. People of this community were the earliest metal smiths from West Bengal who used the ancient technique of #Lost wax casting, and gave the craft of Dhokra its name. It is a vibrant tradition that continues to be practiced by various artisan communities across several states, including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. Notably, the lost-wax technique utilized in creating Dhokra art results in uniquely decorative finished pieces, characterized by intricate #designs such as parallel and #spiral lines, latticework, and small pellets.

As one of the oldest and most sophisticated forms of metallurgical art, Dhokra has Historical roots that extend beyond India, with similarities found in ancient cultures such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and Greece. In India, evidence of Dhokra art can be traced back over 4,000 years to the Harappan civilization, with notable artifacts like the dancing girl and bronze bull figurine discovered in Mohenjo-Daro, exemplifying the lost-wax metal casting technique.

The lost-wax technique is elaborated upon in several ancient Sanskrit texts, including the Manasollasa, Silparatna, and Manasara, which provide comprehensive descriptions of the method. While the foundational technique remains consistent, regional variations exist in Dhokra art, influenced by the local availability of materials. Artisan craftsmen typically create a Clay model encasing a wax one, which is later replaced with molten metal—either brass or bronze—through the lost-wax casting process.

The name Lost Wax is derived from the wax being lost, that is, when the mould is heated the wax melts out thereby leaving a negative impression of it. In India, this method encompasses two primary techniques: hollow casting and solid casting. The hollow casting method is prevalent in the central and eastern regions, whereas the solid casting method is more common in the southern parts of the country.

On 15 Nov 2002, India Post issued a set of four stamps commemorating India’s handicrafts. Among these, one #stamp features anthropological figures and a bull crafted through the Dhokra art form for a face value of Rs.5.