Item ST 40298 Indian Figure - Fruit Seller With Custard Apples, Lucknow, Clay, circa 1880

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a fruit seller with custard apples 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. The NGV Stock book identifies the figure as 'Fruit Seller with Custard Apples'.

Physical Description

Figure of a woman on a round base made from fired clay, brown and white. A paper label is glued to the upper surface of the base and the underside of the base. The woman is fired clay modelled over a ferrous metal armature, which attaches to the base. The figure is painted with a dark brown skin tone and is wearing a white skirt with blue trim, blue and white top, a white shawl with blue trim over her hand and shoulders, green, red and yellow bracelets and is carrying a brown basket on her head.