Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

Clay figure of a Peon made in Pune, India. It was exhibited at the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880, as part of a group of figures representing various castes, occupations and religious sects in India. Pune sent exhibits to the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition as part of the British India Court. This figure was gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) by the India Commission of the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81. The NGV Stock book records identify the figure as a 'Badgad Messenger or Peon'.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a wooden base. The base is painted red turned wood. A paper label is glued to the upper side of the base. The figure is plaster/composition modeled over wooden dowels, it is painted with a terracotta skin tone and is dressed in fabric. His garments consist of a white tunic with a black floral pattern, a white waist sash, a red sash over his shoulder, and white trousers. He has painted white hat and red shoes. He is holding a piece of paper in his left hand.

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