Item ST 40766 Indian Figure - Sacred Cow, Jadunath Pal, Krishnanagar, Clay, circa 1880

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. 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 a bull on a rectangular base of fired clay. The bull is fired clay, with a painted surface it is modelled over ferrous metal armature. The bull is painted white, with black hooves, horns, nose and eyes and has a varnish coating. The clay on the horns and hoofs has cracked and dropped off showing the ferrous metal armatures, this is probably a result of corrosion. The figure is missing limbs and the ferrous armature is bent.