Lac Dolls or Shellac Dolls of West Bengal are popularly known as Gala Putul in the Bengali language. It is an ancient craft of making lac coated terracotta dolls or toys and figurines of various gods and goddesses with the purpose of playing or worshipping.
What makes this doll interesting is the curious process that surrounds its making. The very material these dolls are made of is, clay, obtained from a termite's nest, after which this clay goes through a process of water treatment and fermentation.
The end result is a pure form of clay which is then shaped into these rare dolls, sun-dried and finally baked in mud kilns to give them their final form and shape. The process that accompanies thereafter is red hot coal is dropped on the clay dolls, to form the array of colourful Lac over the dolls.
The artisans then create the magnificent body designs on the dolls with a lac thread. The dolls are finally ready after being cooled for 10-15 minutes.
Supporting our artists preserve this dying art form in the age of industrialised mass manufactured dolls is one of our goals belonging to a community that loves art and respects artisans.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Lac Dolls, Set of 2 Dolls
Material: Lac / Shellac
Size: 4.5"
