Indian Brass "Dhokra" Tribal Tortoise Box narrow base I believe this load-bearing character

I believe this load-bearing character is based on Tevye

Exemplifying exquisite craft

seemingly endless library of old books

While the iconography is the same on each pillow

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

Indian Brass "Dhokra" Tribal Tortoise Box narrow base I believe this load-bearing characterI 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,