Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Man holding a Drum 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 number identifies this figure as a 'C...wlee Grape Seller', which is obviously inaccurate.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a round base made from fired clay, painted brown. A paper label is glued to the base. The man is fired clay modeled over ferrous metal armature, which attaches to the base. The figure is painted with a terracotta skin tone and is wearing a pointed red hat with white polka dots, a white tunic, with a black wrap over his shoulders, and red shoes. He is holding a drum in his left hand and a stick in his right and has a brown bag over his left shoulder.

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