Dhokra Decorative Brass Vessel – Lattice Body & Ornate Handle

A sculptural brass vessel that turns light into pattern. Hand-cast using the ancient Dhokra lost-wax method, this decorative urn brings together openwork lattice, braided coils, and beaded borders in a compact, display-friendly form. The silhouette is classical—wide belly, tightened neck, and a crown-like finial—while the surface is alive with the micro-geometries that define tribal metalwork. Place it on a console, bookcase, or sideboard and it becomes a natural focal point: a small architecture of shadow and gleam.

Why this piece feels so dimensional. Dhokra is not stamped or pressed; it is patiently built. Artisans first shape a core of clay, then apply heated beeswax over it, drawing the design in fine coils and punctures. As the pattern grows, tiny tools—some improvised, some inherited—press dots, hatch marks and braid lines into the wax. The form is then encased in layers of alluvial clay and dried. During firing, the wax melts out and molten brass flows in, capturing every ridge and pinhole. When the clay mold is broken, the casting emerges singular—no production mold survives the pour—so each vessel is one-of-one by definition. Finally, edges are filed smooth, the surface is burnished, and a gentle antique patina is coaxed on to quiet the shine and reveal the texture.

Design reading. The vessel’s belly is articulated with repeating perforations—tiny negative spaces that act like windows. These are bracketed by braided coil bands, which read as tactile rings to the fingertips and as shadowed grooves to the eye. On the shoulder, bead-like dots march around the circumference, catching light like a necklace. The neck tightens cleanly to lift the eye toward a sculpted finial, while an ornate side handle—flattened, ribbed, and scrolled—adds a lyrical off-axis note. The base is slightly weightened and flattened so the urn sits stable on wood, glass, or stone.

Light play, styled simply. Because the body is gently latticed, setting a tealight behind (not inside) the vessel throws a soft corona of patterned shadows on the wall. By day, ambient light traces the perforations; by night, the urn becomes a small theatre. Try it on an entry console with a single brass diya to one side, or on a bookcase with a warm LED puck hidden just out of frame—the effect is intimate and magical.

Versatile placement ideas.

Console vignette: Style with a stack of craft books and a small fern; the greens set off the antique brass beautifully.

Dining sideboard: Pair with handloom runners and clay platters; the lattice echoes woven textures.

Study shelf: Flank with black-and-white spines; the vessel’s warm tone softens the monochrome.

Pooja corner: Use dry marigold heads and incense (in a separate holder) to create a contemplative scene.

Craft, culture & continuity. The language of elongated coils, bead borders and filigreed apertures belongs to artisan communities in Bastar and eastern India. These motifs are not decorative afterthoughts; they carry memory—of harvest dances, of ritual vessels, of tools made by hand. When you collect a Dhokra piece, you are participating in a living system of knowledge: how hot wax behaves, how clay breathes in a kiln, how brass cools differently on a humid day. CTC Deals works directly with maker groups, paying fair rates for small-batch quality and name credit wherever possible. Your purchase keeps this slow, skillful economy resilient.

Functional guidance. While this is a sturdy brass object, we recommend dry styling for long-term care: palm spears, dried reeds, or foraged twigs look effortless in it. If you wish to display fresh stems, slip a slim glass or steel tumbler inside to hold water; avoid prolonged moisture directly against the brass interior. The mouth size is balanced to grip stems gently, so even a modest cluster feels composed.

Finish & feel. The antique oxidation gently mutes the yellow of brass to a warm, deep gold. Run your fingers across the bands and you’ll sense the micro-ridges of hand-rolled wax captured in metal; tilt the vessel and you’ll see the lattice catch and release the light in a rhythm. Small variations in perforation size, line thickness and patina tone are signs that your vessel was shaped, not stamped.

Care, simply. Dust with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Brass naturally develops a mellow patina; embrace it for depth, or restore a brighter gleam with a non-abrasive brass polish used sparingly. Avoid soaking, harsh chemicals, and scouring pads. Keep away from long humidity exposure; if you live by the sea, store with a silica sachet when not on display.

Dimensions & specifications.

Approx. size: 22 × 14 × 26 cm (L × W × H)

Approx. weight: 1.4 kg (±10% variance natural to handmade casting)

Material: Solid brass, hand-cast and hand-finished

Technique: Dhokra lost-wax casting; perforated lattice body; braided coil bands

Finish: Antique burnish with satin highlights

Gift that lands. For housewarmings, milestone birthdays, festive exchanges or creative offices, this vessel communicates taste without fuss. It packs safely, styles easily, and tells a story—three qualities every great gift shares. On request, we can include a craft card explaining Dhokra and simple care tips.

Why designers love it. Scale is everything in interiors. This piece occupies volume without visual heaviness thanks to its lattice. It reads clearly from across a room yet reveals handwork up close. It sits comfortably with modern sofas and with carved cabinets. In color terms, antique brass is a universal mediator: it warms white walls, marries walnut and oak, and adds depth to charcoal.

Sustainability note. Brass is endlessly recyclable. The Dhokra process relies on locally sourced clay and beeswax models; firing is done in compact kilns. Small-batch commissioning reduces waste and privileges repair over discard—a mindset as important as any material choice.

In one line: a compact Dhokra brass urn where light, texture and tradition meet—ready to anchor your next vignette.