Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Bengali man was made in Lucknow, 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. This group was awarded a Third Order of Merit and was exhibited as part of the British India Court. It was gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) by the India Commission of the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81. The NGV Stock book identifies the figure as a 'Bengalee'.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a round base made from fired clay, painted blue, green and brown. A paper label is glued to the upper side of the base. The figure is fired clay modeled over ferrous metal armature, which attaches to the base. The figure is painted with a dark brown skin tone and is wearing a white hat, a white tunic and pink pants. He has a towel over his right shoulder and is carrying a rod with a bundle attached to it over his left shoulder.

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