Item ST 40761 Indian Figure - Cart Laden with Cotton Drawn by Two Bullocks, Lucknow, Clay, circa 1880

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a cart heavily laden with bales of cotton drawn by two bullocks 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. Although the figure is no longer numbered, we can identify this as item 178 in the NGV Stock book - 'Cart laden with bales of Cotton drawn by two yoked Bullocks' - through the description.

Physical Description

Model of a loaded cart pulled by two bullocks on a painted orange and white fired clay base. The model is fired clay modelled over ferrous metal armature, which attaches to the base. The fired clay and string cart is loaded with nine fired clay bales with cotton glued to the exterior; the bales are 'tied' to the cart with string. The bullocks are painted white with black horns, hooves, nose and eyes and are yoked to the cart.