Musicians

These small sculptures are from the tribal areas of Chattisgarth and Orissa and are made using the ancient process of cireperdue or the lost wax process. They are made of bell metal (bronze) which is an alloy of copper (80%) and tin (20%). Instances of this ancient craft have been found at Harrapa and Mohenjodaro which dates the craft at over 5000 years old.

Bell metal craft is known locally as Dhokra, meaning old in the local dialect. The craftsmen are known as Ghadwas (meaning shaping and creating) and are largely based in and around Kondagaon and Jagdalpur town of Bastar district.