Antique Indian Dhokra Horse and Rider Sculpture

Probably from the late 19th or early 20th century as is evidenced by its natural patina and clear evidence of age.

It depicts an Indian Warrior with a sword in his right hand mounted on his horse/steed.

The warrior is in classical and ancient Southeast Asian Indian attire and he holds the horse’s reins in his left hand.

The body of the horse is a series of lines (in the Classic Dhokra Style) and it has a tribal headdress.

Dhokra (also spelt Dokra) is non-ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used. One of the earliest known lost wax artefacts is the dancing girl of Mohenjo-Daro. The product of dhokra artisans are in great demand in domestic and foreign markets because of primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs and forceful form. Dhokra horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets etc., are highly appreciated. The lost wax technique for casting of copper based alloys has also been found in China, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Central America, and other places.

There are two main processes of lost wax casting: solid casting and hollow casting. While the former is predominant in the south of India the latter is more common in Central and Eastern India. Solid casting does not use a clay core but instead a solid piece of wax to create the mould; hollow casting is the more traditional method and uses the clay core.