Item ST 40772 Indian Figure - Woman in the Act of Spinning, Pune, Clay, circa 1867

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a woman spinning yarn on a floor charkha was part of a series of 82 Indian clay figures purchased from Stubb and Co for £9.10 in 1867 by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). The group of figures, which came from Pune (Poona), represented various castes, occupations and religious sects in India. The NGV Stock book records identify the figure as a 'Cord Maker (in the act of Spinning)'.

Spinning was practiced by women of all castes and regional areas as even women of higher casts would spin for family use.

Physical Description

Figure of a woman sitting and spinning on a rectangular base made from fired clay, painted orange. There is a wooden spinning wheel attached to the base and wool surrounds it. The woman is fired clay modelled over ferrous metal armature, which attaches to the base. The figure is painted with a terracotta skin tone and is dressed in fabric. Her garments consist of a purple cotton blouse and a white cotton sari with pink trim.