Item ST 40302 Indian Figure - Bhattier Merchant, Pune, Clay, circa 1880

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

Clay figure of a Bhattier Merchant 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 'Bhattier Merchant'.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a turned wooden base, painted brown. 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 fair skin tone and is dressed in fabric. His garments consist of white cotton coat and trousers, a red cotton waist sash, and a white underskirt with black and red detailing. He has a painted red turban and painted black shoes.