Government of India
Dokra Craft- Traditional Lost -Wax Casting Technique, West Bengal
Issue Date: 2014
Publisher: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal
Description: Dokra is non ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This technology is one of the oldest forms of craft that is still practiced in Bankura of West Bengal. In this technique Dokra artists cast the images of Hindu or tribal god, goddesses. Measuring bowls, ornaments earlier but now-a day they cast figures of people or deities, riding elephant, Musicians, horse riders, elephants, peacocks, owl’s lamps and many more decorative items. Lost-wax technique involves six stages: Core making: Cores are made from the local clay. The clay is dried sieved through sacking then mixed with uncrushed sand and used to make suitable core-figures. The cores are slowly sun dried over three or four days.Modelling:- A detailed wax model is built-up around the core, to the thickness of metal desired in the finished object but the Bikna Karmakars prefer to use ‘Dhuna’ which is based on a natural plant resin extracted from the Sal tree mixed with mustered oil. Moulding: The wax model is coated with a thin layer of very fine clay, which aril form an impression of every detail of the model. When this layer is dry and hard, further layers of clay are added to the mould. One or more pouring channels are provided through which molten metal can rim to fill the mould.De-waxing: The mould is pre heated to melt the wax and the molten wax is poured out. This leaves a cavity which has the exact size, shape & surface contours of the intended artifact. Casting: Molten metal is poured into the cavity & the mould left to cool. Finishing: The artifact is broken out of the mould. Traces of baked clay are removed & surface blemishes & detects repaired.The present technique is a demonstration process by Sri Rameswar Karmakar of Bankura, West Bengal.
Source: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal
Type: Exhibitions
Received From: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
| DC Field | Value |
| dc.coverage.spatial | West Bengal |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-08-02T12:05:04Z |
| dc.date.available | 2019-08-02T12:05:04Z |
| dc.description | Dokra is non ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This technology is one of the oldest forms of craft that is still practiced in Bankura of West Bengal. In this technique Dokra artists cast the images of Hindu or tribal god, goddesses. Measuring bowls, ornaments earlier but now-a day they cast figures of people or deities, riding elephant, Musicians, horse riders, elephants, peacocks, owl’s lamps and many more decorative items. Lost-wax technique involves six stages: Core making: Cores are made from the local clay. The clay is dried sieved through sacking then mixed with uncrushed sand and used to make suitable core-figures. The cores are slowly sun dried over three or four days.Modelling:- A detailed wax model is built-up around the core, to the thickness of metal desired in the finished object but the Bikna Karmakars prefer to use ‘Dhuna’ which is based on a natural plant resin extracted from the Sal tree mixed with mustered oil. Moulding: The wax model is coated with a thin layer of very fine clay, which aril form an impression of every detail of the model. When this layer is dry and hard, further layers of clay are added to the mould. One or more pouring channels are provided through which molten metal can rim to fill the mould.De-waxing: The mould is pre heated to melt the wax and the molten wax is poured out. This leaves a cavity which has the exact size, shape & surface contours of the intended artifact. Casting: Molten metal is poured into the cavity & the mould left to cool. Finishing: The artifact is broken out of the mould. Traces of baked clay are removed & surface blemishes & detects repaired.The present technique is a demonstration process by Sri Rameswar Karmakar of Bankura, West Bengal. |
| dc.date.issued | 2014 |
| dc.source | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal |
| dc.format.mimetype | image/jpeg |
| dc.publisher | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal |
| dc.type | Exhibitions |
| dc.identifier.other | EXHIBIT NO. 03 |
| dc.format.medium | image |
| DC Field | Value |
| dc.coverage.spatial | West Bengal |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-08-02T12:05:04Z |
| dc.date.available | 2019-08-02T12:05:04Z |
| dc.description | Dokra is non ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This technology is one of the oldest forms of craft that is still practiced in Bankura of West Bengal. In this technique Dokra artists cast the images of Hindu or tribal god, goddesses. Measuring bowls, ornaments earlier but now-a day they cast figures of people or deities, riding elephant, Musicians, horse riders, elephants, peacocks, owl’s lamps and many more decorative items. Lost-wax technique involves six stages: Core making: Cores are made from the local clay. The clay is dried sieved through sacking then mixed with uncrushed sand and used to make suitable core-figures. The cores are slowly sun dried over three or four days.Modelling:- A detailed wax model is built-up around the core, to the thickness of metal desired in the finished object but the Bikna Karmakars prefer to use ‘Dhuna’ which is based on a natural plant resin extracted from the Sal tree mixed with mustered oil. Moulding: The wax model is coated with a thin layer of very fine clay, which aril form an impression of every detail of the model. When this layer is dry and hard, further layers of clay are added to the mould. One or more pouring channels are provided through which molten metal can rim to fill the mould.De-waxing: The mould is pre heated to melt the wax and the molten wax is poured out. This leaves a cavity which has the exact size, shape & surface contours of the intended artifact. Casting: Molten metal is poured into the cavity & the mould left to cool. Finishing: The artifact is broken out of the mould. Traces of baked clay are removed & surface blemishes & detects repaired.The present technique is a demonstration process by Sri Rameswar Karmakar of Bankura, West Bengal. |
| dc.date.issued | 2014 |
| dc.source | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal |
| dc.format.mimetype | image/jpeg |
| dc.publisher | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal |
| dc.type | Exhibitions |
| dc.identifier.other | EXHIBIT NO. 03 |
| dc.format.medium | image |
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