Description
This brass money box is from the Dhokra Damar tribes of Orissa in North East India. This style of Dhokra work dates to the late 19th & early 20th centuries. These caskets would have been used daily by families for keeping cash and valuables.
The Dhokra tribe extends from Bihar to West Bengal and Orissa; members are distant cousins of the Madhya Pradesh Dhokras. A few hundred years ago the Dhokras of Central and Eastern India traveled south as far as Kerala and north as far as Rajasthan.
These boxes were made using the lost wax casting technique also known as cire perdue. A box is first sculpted from wax and then coated with clay (usually made from termite hills) which creates the outer mold. Once the clay has dried, it is fired and molten brass is poured in to replace the original wax mold. Once cooled, the clay is broken to reveal a finished box.
When cool the clay mold is broken off exposing the cast bronze box. The casting is then cleaned and finer details are carved to finish the piece. As the mold is broken, each piece is unique.
For similar, more ornate examples see page 42 & page 46 of Museums of India 'National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum New Delhi' by Jyotindra Jain & Aarti Aggarwala.
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Beautiful condition. Opens and closes perfectly.
Dimensions:
Height: 5 in.
Width: 4.75 in.
Depth: 3 in.
Category: Boxes
Origin: India
Materials: Brass Finish
Shipping:Domestic: Flat-rate of $35.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: No International Shipping for this auction. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from Palm Coast, FL
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
The Dhokra tribe extends from Bihar to West Bengal and Orissa; members are distant cousins of the Madhya Pradesh Dhokras. A few hundred years ago the Dhokras of Central and Eastern India traveled south as far as Kerala and north as far as Rajasthan.
These boxes were made using the lost wax casting technique also known as cire perdue. A box is first sculpted from wax and then coated with clay (usually made from termite hills) which creates the outer mold. Once the clay has dried, it is fired and molten brass is poured in to replace the original wax mold. Once cooled, the clay is broken to reveal a finished box.
When cool the clay mold is broken off exposing the cast bronze box. The casting is then cleaned and finer details are carved to finish the piece. As the mold is broken, each piece is unique.
For similar, more ornate examples see page 42 & page 46 of Museums of India 'National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum New Delhi' by Jyotindra Jain & Aarti Aggarwala.
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Beautiful condition. Opens and closes perfectly.
Dimensions:
Height: 5 in.
Width: 4.75 in.
Depth: 3 in.
Category: Boxes
Origin: India
Materials: Brass Finish
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Condition
Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Beautiful condition. Opens and closes perfectly.
Buyer's Premium
20%
Antique Dokra Brass Treasure Trinket Box
Estimate $180-$530
Starting Price
$55
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Shipping & Pickup DetailsItem located in: Georgia, US $35 Shipping in the US
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Heritage & Home: Antiques & Design Classics I
May 15, 2026 6:00 PM EDTNew York, NY, United States
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