Anklets (Pair)

This is a pair of lost wax, bronze anklets worn by priests and dancers especially in North Karnataka. The anklets are hollow and encase pellets that rattle when the anklet is moved. Each is cast with four circular symbols perhaps representing the sun. The anklets have been displayed on a custom-made stand, and the size mentioned is with the stand.
The ancient art of lost-wax casting dates back nearly 6000 years in India, and the oldest example in the world is from the Indus Valley Civilization. First, an artist creates an original model from wax. Everything is then encased with layers of clay, thus becoming a mould for the molten metal that will be poured inside it. When this is poured in, the wax melts and the original is lost. Once the metal hardens, the outer layer of clay is smashed, which is what makes each piece unique.