Snapshot

• Why Odisha Dhokra is unique: Odisha’s Dhenkanal and Mayurbhanj districts are renowned for Dhokra craft, a 4,000-year-old lost-wax metal casting technique passed down by tribal artisans, including the Sonth, Bathudi, and other Adivasi communities.
  
• Unlike industrial metalware, Odisha’s Dhokra retains a raw, textured aesthetic with folk motifs and cultural narratives, making each piece one-of-a-kind.
  
• Recognition: Odisha Dhokra is a GI-certified craft (2018), positioning it as an authentic, traceable, and export-ready artisan product.
  
• Global appeal: Ideal for sustainable décor brands, museum collections, luxury giftware, and eco-conscious buyers.
  

Product Range

• Traditional Artefacts: Tribal idols, ritual figurines, animal motifs (elephants, horses, owls), and folk deities.
  
• Utility Products: Bells, lamps, door handles, boxes, jewelry stands, pen holders.
  
• Home Décor: Wall hangings, mirror frames, sculptures, and vases.
  
• Jewelry: Tribal earrings, pendants, bangles, anklets crafted with signature rope and filigree detailing.
  
• Custom Installations: Large commissioned pieces for heritage hotels, resorts, and public art projects.
  

Craft Technique (Lost-Wax Casting)

Step	Process Details
1. Core Formation	Clay core shaped by hand as per design outline.
2. Wax Modeling	Beeswax threads applied to clay base to create intricate textures and motifs.
3. Clay Coating	Layers of fine clay cover the wax model, forming a casting mold.
4. Wax Removal	The mold is fired; wax melts, leaving a cavity.
5. Metal Pouring	Molten bell metal/brass poured into mold cavity.
6. Finishing	Mold broken; artifact is polished, burnished, or antique-finished.

Key Traits:

• Each artifact is hand-modeled and unique, with rope-pattern and granular textures.
  
• Designs often depict tribal stories, local folklore, and animistic beliefs.
  

Materials & Sustainability

• Alloys: Brass (copper + zinc) or bell metal (copper + tin).
  
• Natural Inputs: Clay, cow dung, rice husk, beeswax, and resin.
  
• Eco-Focus: Fully handmade with zero industrial molds; uses natural and recycled materials, ensuring a low-carbon production process.
  
• Livelihood link: A vital income source for Odisha’s tribal communities, supporting sustainable rural economies.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Dhenkanal Belt: Specialized in traditional figurines, tribal deities, and utilitarian objects.
  
• Mayurbhanj Belt: Focuses on fine detailing and contemporary décor products, often through artisan collectives.
  
• Craft Villages: Sadeibereni in Dhenkanal is a recognized craft village for Odisha Dhokra.
  
• Institutional Support:
  
  • Directorate of Handicrafts & Cottage Industries (Odisha) for training and artisan ID.
    
  • EPCH and TRIFED promote Odisha Dhokra at global fairs.
    
  • GI certification programs for brand building and traceability.
    
• Market Access: Consolidation via Bhubaneswar and Cuttack; exports routed through Kolkata and Paradip ports.
  

Compliance & Certifications

• GI Certification: Odisha Dhokra craft was GI-registered in 2018, safeguarding authenticity.
  
• Fair-Trade and Ethical Sourcing: NGO-led cooperatives ensure equitable wages.
  
• Export Standards: Lead- and cadmium-free alloy use, RoHS compliance, and ASTM mechanical standards for international décor markets.
  
• Cultural Certification: GI-tagged products often include QR-coded artisan details and heritage information.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Jewelry & Small Figurines	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	50–100 pcs/style
Medium Home Décor Pieces	10–14 days	6–8 weeks	25–50 pcs/style
Large Sculptures/Installations	2–4 weeks	3–6 months (custom)	Made-to-order

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: GI certification tags, artisan cards, QR codes linking to craft stories.
  
• Packaging:
  
  • Recyclable corrugated boxes with foam inserts for small artifacts.
    
  • Honeycomb board partitions and ISPM-15 treated wooden crates for large pieces.
    
  • Premium branding emphasizes tribal heritage and handcrafted authenticity.
    

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Metal Integrity: Alloy composition and casting quality checks.
  
• Detail Precision: Wax detailing and rope-pattern inspection.
  
• Surface Finishing: Polishing, antique patina consistency.
  
• Packaging QC: Drop and vibration simulation for export safety.
  

Price Drivers

• Alloy content (brass vs bell metal).
  
• Detailing complexity and size.
  
• Custom motifs or narrative panels.
  
• GI certification and artisan signatures (collector’s premium).
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• GI recognition: Guarantees authenticity and links to Odisha’s cultural heritage.
  
• Tribal storytelling: Each artifact is one-of-a-kind, embodying tribal beliefs and motifs.
  
• Sustainable sourcing: Fully handmade, eco-friendly production supports tribal livelihoods.
  
• Global demand: Favored by ethical luxury décor brands, museum stores, and art galleries for its heritage appeal.