Cobra brass figurine.

Brass founders in workshops across India cast decorative figures using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. Artisans poured molten metal into handmade sand molds to create detailed animal sculptures for domestic display and export markets. These pieces captured traditional cultural motifs and were finished with hand-chased surface details to highlight the features of the subject.

People placed these decorative snake statues on household tables, desks, and shelves as ornamental accents or symbolic pieces. They were widely produced throughout the twentieth century as popular souvenirs for travelers and decorative objects for international trade. Their widespread production eventually shifted toward modern factory casting methods, making handmade vintage decorative brasswares common finds in homes.