Item ST 40269 Indian Figure - Sonawalla or Goldsmith, Pune, Clay, circa 1867

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Sonawalla or Goldsmith was made in Pune in India in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It was exhibited as part of a group of figures representing various castes, occupations and religious sects. Such figures were exhibited at International Exhibitions and often won awards. This figure was accessioned by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in 1867 as a purchase from Stubb and Co.

Physical Description

Figure of a man sitting cross-legged on a wooden base. The base is painted orange wood, with a bowl, cube, hammer and some gold strips attached to it. The figure is plaster/composition modeled over wooden dowels, it is painted with a fair skin tone, with various linear markings on his face, chest and back. He is dressed in white pants and a blue broad-brimmed hat. He has a piece of white cotton wrapped around his left side.