Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a sacred cow was made in Krishnanagar province, India, by Jadunath Pal. 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 Second 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 records identify this figure as 'A Sacred Cow'.

Physical Description

Figure of a cow on a rectangular base of fired clay painted white. There is a small paper label glued to the upper surface of the base. The cow is fired clay modelled over ferrous metal armature. It is painted white with grey horns, hooves and nose and a varnish coating.

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