Antique Set of 7 tribal kansa mana - Kansa, bell metal bronze, high tin - India - late 19th - early 20th century
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Selected by Surya Rutten
Has over 25 years' experience in Asian art and owned an art gallery.
Estimate € 500 - € 550
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Antique set of 7 tribal Kansa mana from India, made of bell metal bronze with high tin, dating to the late 19th–early 20th century, authentic/original and in good condition.
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Description from the seller
Complete Set of 7 Antique Kansa Bell Metal Rice Measures – 2x Elephant Ganesha, Surya Sunburst with Kumkum, White Tin Oxide – 19th Century
Description:
Complete graduated set of 7 antique Indian Kansa bell metal measuring bowls – Mana / Padiyalu, late 19th to early 20th century, Central India, Chhattisgarh / Odisha / Bengal region.
Material: 100% genuine Kansa bell metal, NOT brass. High-tin alloy. Six of the 7 bowls produce a long, clear ringing tone when struck. No. 6 has a noticeably more muted sound. This is the classic bell metal test. Brass is dull and does not ring. Kansa is brittle, sonorous and develops unique white and green-blue tin oxide patina.
Technique: Lost-wax casting – cire perdue – and hand-forging for the large one. Each mould was destroyed after casting. Every bowl is unique, handmade, with original casting flaws, wax joins and hand-chased details.
Age and Provenance: Collected as a complete set from a tribal domestic kitchen with temple use. Untouched original patina, never cleaned or polished.
Detailed description:
No. 1 – Large Lota Mana
Hand-forged large measure. Twisted rope loop handle, double festoon rim, fish-scale pattern, star base turned on a hand lathe. Shows rare white tin oxide in recesses – characteristic proof of old high-tin Kansa. Black-brown patina, sooted.
No. 2 – Tribal Bastar Mana
Classic Bastar tribal style. Upper band with dense herringbone pattern, middle band with two rows of rice-grain squares, lower band with triple garland swags. Base with concentric lathe marks and wax wire impression.
Interior heavily worn, whitish and pitted from decades of acidic rice water contact. Exterior smoothed from handling. Dark brown patina with green oxide in recesses.
No. 3 – Festoon Mana
Highly decorative. Upper band with dotted rice-field pattern, central large spiral eye with double scroll – protective amulet, lower band with triple festoon garlands with vertical lining.
Base with interwoven cross / endless knot symbol of prosperity. Interior black sooted. Original soil encrustation.
No. 4 – Elephant Mana
Temple quality highlight. Applied elephant figure with raised trunk – Ganesha / Lakshmi symbol, lotus leaf triangles, fish-scale field pattern, fringed garland and rope reinforcement.
Base with 7-ray Surya sunburst with 13-ray inner sun – rare astrological variant. White tin oxide and reddish soil in recesses.
No. 5 – Amulet Mana with Foundry Crack
Densest amulet frieze: rice-field lozenge pattern, solar eyes, tassel pendants, shield with four dots.
Original casting crack on base running through to interior – not damage but authentic foundry flaw proving very high tin content. Highly desirable as proof of authenticity. Black sooted interior.
No. 6 – 32-ray Surya Mana
Temple variant highlight. Two large oval spiral eyes, Ganga wave motif, rope reinforcement, double beaded wire.
Base with 32-ray Surya sunburst with central spiral. Interior jet black from soot – decades of use over open fire. Green-blue tin oxide in recesses – characteristic only for old Kansa bell metal.
This bowl has a noticeably more muted sound when struck compared with the other six bowls.
No. 7 – Small Ritual Mana with Kumkum
Body with two large oval spiral eyes with 4-point star and central dot, small elephant with trunk and spiral tail – second elephant in the set, moon crescents, solar rosette, double twisted rope reinforcement, four wire bindings on rim.
Base with 28-ray Surya sunburst with 6 spokes, outer band of small arches hand-stamped, concentric lathe rings.
In the centre, preserved red Kumkum / Sindoor ritual powder – sacred powder used in Puja rituals. This proves temple ritual use and is impossible to fake. Green-blue and white tin oxide patina.
Condition:
All in good antique condition. Original untouched dark brown to black patina, black-brown sooted interiors, casting flaws, soil encrustation, white and green-blue tin oxide. No polishing, no repairs.
The crack on No. 5 is an original foundry flaw, typical for brittle Kansa.
Sold as one complete graduated set of 7 with detailed macro photos.
Dimensions:
No. 1 – 10 cm (L) × 13 cm (W)
No. 2 – 8.5 cm (L) × 14 cm (W)
No. 3 – 7.7 cm (L) × 11,7 cm (W)
No. 4 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
No. 5 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
No. 6 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
No. 7 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
Please note: the width measurements are taken at the widest, bulging part of each bowl, not at the rim.
Good luck with the bidding, and I wish all bidders an exciting and enjoyable auction!
Best wishes,
Michael
Seller's Story
Warm greetings from Antwerp, the city of diamonds and antiques, on my auction you will find Art Deco products, reproductions of real works and modern art, I do not sell antiques, but only offer products in an antique style. The products are of the highest quality, the workmanship and materials used in their production are at the highest level.
I am passionate about offering carefully selected, high-quality bronze sculptures that celebrate timeless artistry, exceptional craftsmanship and elegant design. Every piece is chosen for its refined details, artistic character and decorative appeal, making it a wonderful addition to both private collections and sophisticated interiors.
My philosophy is simple: to make premium-quality bronze sculptures accessible to a wider audience. I am able to offer exceptional pieces at highly competitive prices—often significantly below the prices commonly found on the traditional art and décor market.
Whether you are an experienced collector, discovering bronze sculpture for the first time, or searching for a distinctive gift, I hope you will find something truly special within my collection.
I warmly invite you to participate in my auctions and wish you the very best of luck in your bidding.
Thank you for your trust and interest.
Michael.
Craftsmanship & Casting Technique
Each sculpture is individually cast using the traditional lost-wax casting method (cire perdue) and meticulously hand-finished by skilled artisans. This prestigious technique is renowned for capturing exceptional detail, refined textures and the timeless beauty of fine bronze sculpture, ensuring that every piece possesses its own unique character.
As a natural consequence of this artisanal casting process, small residual particles from production may occasionally remain inside the sculpture. This is an inherent characteristic of the traditional manufacturing technique and does not affect the quality, structural integrity, durability or artistic value of the artwork in any way.
Complete Set of 7 Antique Kansa Bell Metal Rice Measures – 2x Elephant Ganesha, Surya Sunburst with Kumkum, White Tin Oxide – 19th Century
Description:
Complete graduated set of 7 antique Indian Kansa bell metal measuring bowls – Mana / Padiyalu, late 19th to early 20th century, Central India, Chhattisgarh / Odisha / Bengal region.
Material: 100% genuine Kansa bell metal, NOT brass. High-tin alloy. Six of the 7 bowls produce a long, clear ringing tone when struck. No. 6 has a noticeably more muted sound. This is the classic bell metal test. Brass is dull and does not ring. Kansa is brittle, sonorous and develops unique white and green-blue tin oxide patina.
Technique: Lost-wax casting – cire perdue – and hand-forging for the large one. Each mould was destroyed after casting. Every bowl is unique, handmade, with original casting flaws, wax joins and hand-chased details.
Age and Provenance: Collected as a complete set from a tribal domestic kitchen with temple use. Untouched original patina, never cleaned or polished.
Detailed description:
No. 1 – Large Lota Mana
Hand-forged large measure. Twisted rope loop handle, double festoon rim, fish-scale pattern, star base turned on a hand lathe. Shows rare white tin oxide in recesses – characteristic proof of old high-tin Kansa. Black-brown patina, sooted.
No. 2 – Tribal Bastar Mana
Classic Bastar tribal style. Upper band with dense herringbone pattern, middle band with two rows of rice-grain squares, lower band with triple garland swags. Base with concentric lathe marks and wax wire impression.
Interior heavily worn, whitish and pitted from decades of acidic rice water contact. Exterior smoothed from handling. Dark brown patina with green oxide in recesses.
No. 3 – Festoon Mana
Highly decorative. Upper band with dotted rice-field pattern, central large spiral eye with double scroll – protective amulet, lower band with triple festoon garlands with vertical lining.
Base with interwoven cross / endless knot symbol of prosperity. Interior black sooted. Original soil encrustation.
No. 4 – Elephant Mana
Temple quality highlight. Applied elephant figure with raised trunk – Ganesha / Lakshmi symbol, lotus leaf triangles, fish-scale field pattern, fringed garland and rope reinforcement.
Base with 7-ray Surya sunburst with 13-ray inner sun – rare astrological variant. White tin oxide and reddish soil in recesses.
No. 5 – Amulet Mana with Foundry Crack
Densest amulet frieze: rice-field lozenge pattern, solar eyes, tassel pendants, shield with four dots.
Original casting crack on base running through to interior – not damage but authentic foundry flaw proving very high tin content. Highly desirable as proof of authenticity. Black sooted interior.
No. 6 – 32-ray Surya Mana
Temple variant highlight. Two large oval spiral eyes, Ganga wave motif, rope reinforcement, double beaded wire.
Base with 32-ray Surya sunburst with central spiral. Interior jet black from soot – decades of use over open fire. Green-blue tin oxide in recesses – characteristic only for old Kansa bell metal.
This bowl has a noticeably more muted sound when struck compared with the other six bowls.
No. 7 – Small Ritual Mana with Kumkum
Body with two large oval spiral eyes with 4-point star and central dot, small elephant with trunk and spiral tail – second elephant in the set, moon crescents, solar rosette, double twisted rope reinforcement, four wire bindings on rim.
Base with 28-ray Surya sunburst with 6 spokes, outer band of small arches hand-stamped, concentric lathe rings.
In the centre, preserved red Kumkum / Sindoor ritual powder – sacred powder used in Puja rituals. This proves temple ritual use and is impossible to fake. Green-blue and white tin oxide patina.
Condition:
All in good antique condition. Original untouched dark brown to black patina, black-brown sooted interiors, casting flaws, soil encrustation, white and green-blue tin oxide. No polishing, no repairs.
The crack on No. 5 is an original foundry flaw, typical for brittle Kansa.
Sold as one complete graduated set of 7 with detailed macro photos.
Dimensions:
No. 1 – 10 cm (L) × 13 cm (W)
No. 2 – 8.5 cm (L) × 14 cm (W)
No. 3 – 7.7 cm (L) × 11,7 cm (W)
No. 4 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
No. 5 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
No. 6 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
No. 7 – 8 cm (L) × 12 cm (W)
Please note: the width measurements are taken at the widest, bulging part of each bowl, not at the rim.
Good luck with the bidding, and I wish all bidders an exciting and enjoyable auction!
Best wishes,
Michael
Seller's Story
Warm greetings from Antwerp, the city of diamonds and antiques, on my auction you will find Art Deco products, reproductions of real works and modern art, I do not sell antiques, but only offer products in an antique style. The products are of the highest quality, the workmanship and materials used in their production are at the highest level.
I am passionate about offering carefully selected, high-quality bronze sculptures that celebrate timeless artistry, exceptional craftsmanship and elegant design. Every piece is chosen for its refined details, artistic character and decorative appeal, making it a wonderful addition to both private collections and sophisticated interiors.
My philosophy is simple: to make premium-quality bronze sculptures accessible to a wider audience. I am able to offer exceptional pieces at highly competitive prices—often significantly below the prices commonly found on the traditional art and décor market.
Whether you are an experienced collector, discovering bronze sculpture for the first time, or searching for a distinctive gift, I hope you will find something truly special within my collection.
I warmly invite you to participate in my auctions and wish you the very best of luck in your bidding.
Thank you for your trust and interest.
Michael.
Craftsmanship & Casting Technique
Each sculpture is individually cast using the traditional lost-wax casting method (cire perdue) and meticulously hand-finished by skilled artisans. This prestigious technique is renowned for capturing exceptional detail, refined textures and the timeless beauty of fine bronze sculpture, ensuring that every piece possesses its own unique character.
As a natural consequence of this artisanal casting process, small residual particles from production may occasionally remain inside the sculpture. This is an inherent characteristic of the traditional manufacturing technique and does not affect the quality, structural integrity, durability or artistic value of the artwork in any way.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
late 19th - early 20th century
Number of objects
7
Country of Origin
India
Material
Kansa, bell metal bronze, high tin
Title of artwork
Antique Set of 7 tribal kansa mana
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
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