Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Bengali Gentleman was 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. It was gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) by the India Commission of the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81. The National Gallery of Victoria Stock book records identify the figure as a 'Bengalee Gentleman'.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a wooden base. The base is painted, black turned wood. A paper label is glued on the upper side of the base. The figure is plaster/composition modeled over wooden dowels, it is painted with a dark brown skin tone and is dressed in fabric. His garments consist of a hat, a white coat with black flowers, a pink sash, white trousers, and painted black shoes.

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