Sherpai (Suri Bawl)
Wooden Artwares
History
Sherpai bowls, traditional brass measuring vessels from West Bengal, date back to the region’s agricultural roots. Named from Hindi terms for weight units, they were used to measure grains like rice and paddy. A Kunke set had twelve nested bowls, with the largest holding up to 80 ser. Once common, Sherpai use declined with modern materials and farming changes. Today, revival efforts include artisan training and market promotion to preserve this heritage.
Raw Materials and Tools
Raw Materials: Mango wood, Brass sheet
Tools: Filer, Hammer, Cutting instrument, Spinner, Drilling Tool
Process
The making of Sherpai measuring bowls involves over 40 detailed steps. Artisans begin by hand-carving wood like mango or palm into bowl shapes. Recycled brass sheets are heated, flattened, and cut, then formed into two bands—one broad, one narrow—that are knurled and fitted to the bowl. Decorative motifs like fish and flowers are cut from brass and attached with rivets. A brass disc with a rosette design finishes the base, showcasing masterful craftsmanship.
Design and Color
Designs are meticulously engraved using a manual drill, and brass motifs of fish, birds, and flowers are carefully cut from brass sheets, engraved with a file, and mounted on the bands and wooden surfaces using tiny brass rivets. The khanda-bari, a unique wooden contraption, aids in engraving these motifs. Each bowl’s base features a brass disc incised with a traditional rosette design.
Product Range
Traditionally, a set of twelve sherpai bowls was made. These bowls were used in the households of well-to-do farmers and were used to measure rice and other grains for cooking. The bowls were also used for ceremonial purposes, such as during weddings and festivals.