Metal Craft
Dhokra Sculpture - A Tribal King Stands.
This is beautiful Dhokra sculpture by a renowned Master tribal artist, the late Dr. Jaidev Baghel that depicts a tribal king in full military gear. The figure wears a five-pointed crown and a decorative sheathed armour, holding a spear in his right hand and a shield in the left. The sculpture embodies the regal character of the king ready for battle and is depicted in the typical elongated form that is seen in Dhokra sculptures. Dr. Baghel belonged to the community of Gadwa artisans from Kondagaon, Chattisgarh. This particular type of Dhokra metal craft is a celebrated tribal craft tradition known as ‘gadwa kaam’ that originates in Chhattisgarh state of India which utilises the ancient lost wax technique to create intricately detailed sculptures. This 'lost wax' technique can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilisation. As such, each sculpture is unique and cannot be replicated again.
