Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of two men carrying a palanquin 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.

Physical Description

Figure of two men carrying a palanquin, with a women seated inside, on a rectangular base made of fired clay. The base is painted brown and cream. There is Indian script handwritten in ink on the underside of the base. The men are fired clay modelled over ferrous metal armature, which attaches to the base, they are painted with a dark brown skin tone and clothed in red hats, red coats with green trim and white tunics. The palanquin is fired clay modelled over ferrous metal armature, the base of the palanquin is painted white with a red and blue boarder, while the uprights and crossbars of the palanquin are painted green. It has a red cotton cover with a gold border. The woman seated inside the litter is fired clay modelled over ferrous metal armature. She is painted with a fair skin tone and is dressed in a yellow dress, with white stockings and a red, green and gold twisted head piece.

More Information