Dhokra Salfi Tree — Tree of Life
A Dhokra brass sculpture of the Salfi harvest — one of the most detailed pieces in our collection.
A brass sculpture depicting a scene from tribal life in Bastar — the harvesting of Salfi, a naturally fermented palm sap drink central to the region’s culture. The Salfi palm is tapped by cutting into the trunk and collecting the sap in a pot, where it slowly ferments. Look closely and the whole process is here: the pot hanging near the top of the tree holding the collected sap, a figure climbing the trunk to retrieve it, and others gathered at the base, one even having a drink!
Cast by hand using the Dhokra lost-wax technique, the trunk and base are layered with concentric wax threadwork, while each leaf and branch is shaped individually and slots into the trunk.
At over 40cm tall and 1.6kg, this is a statement piece — built for a console table, sideboard, or any surface where it can command the space around it.
| Material |
Solid brass |
|---|---|
| Finish |
Natural antique gold tone with hints of dark patina — a characteristic of hand-cast brass that deepens over time. |
| Assembly |
Leaves, branches, and some figures detach for safe transit. Reassembles in minutes, no tools needed. |
| Dimensions |
41 × 30 cm / approx. 16 × 12 in (assembled) |
| Trunk |
15 × 12 cm / approx. 6 × 5 in (without leaves) |
| Weight |
1.6kg |
| Origin |
Handcrafted in Chhattisgarh, India |
| Care |
Wipe with a soft dry cloth. No polishing needed — the brass develops character as it ages. |
