Dhamrai, a town near Dhaka, is famous for lost-wax metal casting — a method thought to be thousands of years old. Families there still make brass and bronze statues and decor by hand. Bangladesh is also known for kansa (bell metal) plates, bowls and glasses. I buy new pieces for you and ship them safely.
Send me a photo or describe the piece (statue, plate set, glass, bell, decor) and your budget. I buy newly made pieces from workshops and shops, send photos and weight, and ship with tracking. Metal is heavy, so shipping is a big part of the cost — I quote it exactly before you pay.
In lost-wax casting, the artisan first sculpts the piece in wax, covers it in layers of clay, then heats it so the wax melts out. Molten metal is poured into the empty mould, and the clay is broken away to reveal the piece, which is then finished by hand. Every piece is slightly different. Dhamrai workshops — some run by the same families for generations — make deities (such as Durga, Krishna, Nataraja and Buddha), figures, bells, lamps and decorative items in brass and bronze.
Kansa is bell metal, an alloy of copper and tin. Traditional Bengali households use kansa plates (thala), bowls (bati) and glasses for special meals, weddings and puja, and they are popular gifts. Pieces are made in several places in Bangladesh and sold in Dhaka markets. I check that the item is genuine kansa from a known seller rather than a cheaper look-alike, and tell you if I'm not certain.
Prices depend on size, weight, detail and metal. Small brass figures and bells are affordable; large detailed statues and full kansa dinner sets cost much more. Because metal is heavy, shipping can cost as much as the item. I weigh each piece and give you the exact courier price. Sometimes two small pieces are better value than one heavy one.
Bangladesh law restricts the export of antiquities. I only buy newly made pieces from workshops and shops, with a receipt, and declare them as modern handicrafts. If a seller claims a piece is old or antique, I will not buy it for export.
Statues are wrapped in foam and bubble wrap and packed in a strong box with filling, so they don't move. Kansa pieces are wrapped individually to avoid scratches. Metal handicrafts are normally fine to import, but duty may apply depending on value — see customs duty on parcels from Bangladesh and your country guide: USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia or the Middle East.
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Dhamrai, near Dhaka, is famous for lost-wax metal casting. Artisan families make brass and bronze statues, bells and decor by hand.
Kansa is bell metal, an alloy of copper and tin, used in Bengal for traditional plates, bowls and glasses.
Yes. I wrap it in foam and bubble wrap, pack it in a strong box, and ship with tracking. Metal is heavy, so I weigh it and quote the exact shipping cost first.
No. Bangladesh restricts the export of antiquities, so I only buy newly made pieces with a receipt and declare them as modern handicrafts.
Couriers charge by weight, and brass and bell metal are heavy. Sometimes shipping costs as much as the item, so I always show it before you pay.
Last updated: 6 October 2026. Written by Nazrul Islam, personal shopper in Dhaka.
Send a photo or description and budget. I'll quote with exact weight and shipping.