Indian Brass "Dhokra" Tribal Tortoise Box narrow base Exemplifying exquisite craft

Exemplifying exquisite craft

seemingly endless library of old books

With great lines and textural details

I believe this load-bearing character is based on Tevye

and passed the craft on to his children who continue to produce totems and smaller pieces like this one

Indian Brass "Dhokra" Tribal Tortoise Box narrow base Exemplifying exquisite craftI think my favorite thing about this vintage Indian brass turtle box is its feet! From what I understand, it is an example of Dhokra metal casting, a wax casting method that has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is commonly used to make animal figures (horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, etc) as well as religious images, measuring bowls, lamp caskets etc. The latch on the turtle's back swings open to reveal that it is in fact a box of sorts,