Brass key holder, 'Ancient Work of Art'

A symbolic crossroads where past and present meet, this key holder blends ancient artistry with modern-day living. Presented by S.K. Shaw and cast in brass, this piece features India's legendary dhokra art. Two sunflowers embellish the key ring holder, while six practical hooks make of this piece a most versatile addition to home d�cor. Meaning "oldest, " dhokra is a crafting tradition dating as far back as 2000 B.C. Dhokra art is largely associated with the tribal groups of northern India, including Vindhyas and the Eastern Ghats, Bihar and its surroundings, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Myriad images are cast in the dhokra tradition as artisans preserve their millenary culture, custom and belief through the wondrous pieces they create. Dhokra artistry is an entirely hand-crafted procedure that starts with a clay model and strings of bee's wax that will channel the molten brass. Once the desired shape is obtained, it is left outside to dry under the sun - production suffers much during monsoon season. When completely dried, the piece is checked for alignment and heated under the ground for a period of five days. Finally, the work is treated to a fine polish to highlight the legendary allure of dhokra. Please note there might be slight differences in the dimensions and shape of the piece due to the hand-crafted nature of the work. However, the original theme and the quality of the work remains unaffected.