Indian Brass "Dhokra" Tribal Tortoise Box narrow base seemingly endless library of old

seemingly endless library of old books

and a couple of flowers

I believe this load-bearing character is based on Tevye

The level of detail and the interplay between form and surface treatment on this contemporary ceramic vessel is sophisticated and surprising

Exemplifying exquisite craft

Indian Brass "Dhokra" Tribal Tortoise Box narrow base seemingly endless library of oldI 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,