EARLY 20TH CENTURY ANTIQUE INDIAN ABORIGINAL DHOKRA TRIBAL INDIGENOUS 

FIGURATIVE COPPER & GOLD PAINTED 

BRONZE SCULPTURE of MUSICIAN 

PLAYING WIND INSTRUMENT

[Using lost wax ancient bronze casting technique] 

(Circa 1900-1925)

Indian aboriginal indigenous Dhokra tribal bronze figurative metal sculpture

DIMENSIONS: 

 7 3⁄4" Height x 2 1⁄2" Width (elbow to elbow) x 1 3⁄4" base Width

 DESCRIPTION: 

For sale is this recently discovered and completely untouched early 20th century antique aboriginal Indian Dhokra tribal, using ancient old wax bronze casting technique, small figurative metal sculpture of a musician playing a wind instrument, enhanced with hand painted episodes of gold and copper paint. The figure is reminiscent of other Dhokra indigenous Indian figurative bronze sculpture, with its characteristic hand tooled surfaces, featuring sinewy, elongated figures with exaggerated proportions, usually in tribal dress and engaged in a number of activities, such as the playing of instruments. The bronze male figure of a musician playing a wind instrument is notable because the Dhokra tribal piece is cast using the ancient lost wax casting process. This bronze casting method is a nearly primordial, archaic human activity and one that goes back thousands of years. This figure would have been likely cast in the early 20th century, between 1900-1925. With characteristic gold and copper hand painted embellishment on its surfaces. Estate fresh. Untouched and undisturbed. Extraordinarily beautiful. Authentic and absolutely in original condition. A splendid indigenous South Asian tribal cultural artifact from the Dhokra tribal indigenous people of India.

 

CONDITION:

Good to Very Good overall vintage condition. In nearly originally constituted overall antique condition. There's no visible damage, such as deformities, noticeable surface abrasions, scuffs or material loss. The original bronze surfaces remain dry and still have their original, naturally aged bronze patina, with very slight episodes of verdigris patina and rusting (oxidation.) The figure hasn't been dusted, rinsed or touched. From a well-appointed Massachusetts estate where it had been on a glassed-in, protected shelf in the personal library of the previous owner. Outstanding. Original and authentic.