Stylised Sarota (Betel Cutter)

National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy

Title : Stylised Sarota (Betel Cutter)

Accession No : 64/7/3159 (12)

This figure showcases a Nut cracker locally known as Sarota, from Gujarat. The nut cracker depicts a Horseman on top of a horse on the upper blade. The horse appears like is in a running front, has an elongated long neck, flared ears, with a briddle around his mouth and the horseman is holding rein in his hands. The horseman is wearing a turban above his head but clothes are not visible. The handle is stylised and has an inverted hook like design connecting it with the other blade.

Gallery

647315912A.JPG
647315912B.JPG
647315912C.JPG

Provenance

  • StateGujarat

Condition

  • ConditionAverage
  • Action NoteAccumulation of Dust, Dirt Accretion, Darkening, Damaged, Rusting

Contributor

  • Community / TribeVishwakarma

Significance

  • ArtisticA Sarota is basically a nut cracker, shaped like a scissor with handles and cutting blades. It resembles a shear, but smaller, consisting of two cutting blades with handles, movable on a pin in the centre, by which they are held together. Bronze is one of the earliest metals known to man. It is defined as an alloy made of copper and another metal, usually tin. Compositions vary, but most modern bronze is 88% copper and 12% tin. Bronze may also contain manganese, aluminum, nickel, phosphorus, silicon, arsenic or zinc.

Description

  • DescriptionThis figure showcases a Nut cracker locally known as Sarota, from Gujarat. The nut cracker depicts a Horseman on top of a horse on the upper blade. The horse appears like is in a running front, has an elongated long neck, flared ears, with a briddle around his mouth and the horseman is holding rein in his hands. The horseman is wearing a turban above his head but clothes are not visible. The handle is stylised and has an inverted hook like design connecting it with the other blade.
  • Inscription/Markings No
  • ReferenceChattopadhaya, Kamaladevi. Handicrafts of India. New Delhi: Indian Council for Cultural Research, 1975. Barnard, Nicholas. Arts and Crafts of India. London: Conran Octopus Limited, 1993
  • KeywordSarota, Cutter, Cracker, Horseman, Horse, Animal, Decorative