Metal Candle Stand - Iron Craft

Details

Metal Candle Stand Iron Craft is a unique Wrought Iron artefact that carries adorable features, which can leave anyone mesmerized. It is one of the intriguing iron crafts that are made using traditional handicraft techniques, by the Muria tribes of Chhattisgarh.The rustic candle is a distinct utility product as well as a decorative piece of art that can be used to provide a unique bucolic touch to the ambience. It has an interesting make that features two tribal men who are placed either side of the candle stand. They are perfectly designed to resemble tribal human figures with great detailing work on the ears, eyes, mouth, hands, legs, arms and feet.With a vintage look and feel, the candle stand can be used to light up candles and tea-lights along the small areas in the living space or as a showpiece at occasions like dinner get-togethers, birthday parties and occasions alike.

About Wrought Iron Art

In the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, the Lohar or blacksmith community have been practising the wrought iron craft for many centuries now. Although unique showpieces, candle holders and artistic artefacts are now being handcrafted using wrought iron, the tribal artisans used the same raw materials to make tools such as knives, axes, ploughs etcetera.

In earlier times, the ancestral artisans used to extract the crucial raw material iron from the ores. Though, the tribal artists are now forced to engage in using recycled scrap iron in order to limit the use of extracted iron with a fear of extinction of the iron ores.

The modern wrought iron art has seen a remarkable facelift as the artisans are now catering the urban market; they incorporate newer motifs and product line in order to satisfy the need for contemporary art as well.

Wrought Iron products mainly depict the archetypal village surroundings, lifestyle and cultural ethics of the tribes.

Procedure

The wrought iron handicraft requires basic raw materials such as red oxide, chalkboard paint and recycled scrap iron from the rich mines of Chhattisgarh. The artisans go about cutting the iron sheets into smaller strips and preparing a coal furnace.

The iron strips are subjected to high temperatures and heated in the furnace until they are flexible enough. Once the strips have turned malleable, they are beaten over a metal anvil using a pair of tongs and hammer.

The process of heating the strips is further continued until the desired shape is attained. It is this process that requires great diligence, craftsmanship and patience from the artisans.

While the strips are still hot, the artisans begin the process of shaping them in unique forms along with providing fine detailing to the product, for it to look artistic, beautiful and elegant.

The artisans work tediously despite of the furnace heat that only doubles due to the asbestos roof.

Each product is exclusively handmade with a distinct feature that wrought iron products are made from a single sheet and they have no joints. The decorative figurines are adorned with clothes and jewellery using traditional techniques and no other welding tools or equipments.

Region

Metal Candle Stand Iron Craft does duly depict the rich ethics of the Muria tribes of Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. The art has strong footholds in some regions of Uttar Pradesh as well though the traditional techniques of Chhattisgarh are highly popular and recognizable.