Xorai

National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy

Title : Xorai

Accession No : 05/141/D/NHHM(3)

This is a Xorai from Assam. The Xorai has a conical lid and a wide but shallow container. The container has a fluted neck and a bell shaped base. There are linear and floral patterns on the lid of the Xorai. The Xorai has a smooth surface and subtle sheen. The base of the container is shaped like an inverted lotus.

Gallery

05141DNHHM3A.jpg
05141DNHHM3B.jpg
05141DNHHM3C.jpg
05141DNHHM3D.jpg

Provenance

  • CountryIndia
  • StateAssam

Dimensions

  • Measurement (CMS)51 x 24 (Dia.)

Significance

  • ReligiousAll religious and social ceremonies are solemnised in Assam according to established customs. People give Xorai as a mark of their love and respect when they congratulate someone. The Xorai is employed to present gifts to the gods at religious occasions as well. Any religious or social event requires the use of the bota, another version of the Xorai. Most homes regularly serve food, especially to elders, using bell metal utensils. Additionally, serving meals in these dishes when visitors are over is practically a custom.
  • Socio economicSarthebari is a town and a town area committee in Barpeta district in the Indian state of Assam. Sarthebari is home to the bell metal industry, the second largest handicraft of Assam after Bamboo craft. Sarthebari is famous for its Assamese bell metal utensils and for traditional Assamese structure called Xorai.
  • ArtisticThe Xorai, a manufactured bell metal product is one of the traditional symbols of Assam, which is considered as an article of great respect by the people of Assam. In simplistic terms it is an offering tray with a stand at the bottom which is used in felicitations also. There are Xorais with or without a cover on top. Hajo and Sarthebari are the most important centres of traditional bell-metal and brass crafts in Assam.

Description

  • DescriptionThis is a Xorai from Assam. The Xorai has a conical lid and a wide but shallow container. The container has a fluted neck and a bell shaped base. There are linear and floral patterns on the lid of the Xorai. The Xorai has a smooth surface and subtle sheen. The base of the container is shaped like an inverted lotus.
  • Inscription/Markings No
  • Reference" S.D. Trivedi, U.C. Dwivedi, ed. Metallic Art of India. New Delhi: Sharda Publishing House, 2009. Ranjan, Aditi. Handmade in India: Crafts of India. Edited by Aditi Ranjan & M. P. Ranjan. Ahmedabad: Council of Handicraft Development Corporations, 2007. Jain, Jyotindra and Aarti Aggarwala. National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, New Delhi. Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 1989."
  • KeywordXorai, Conatiner, Ritual, Ceremonial, Tradition, Utensil, Utility