Item ST 39828 Indian Figure - Priest of the Hindu Goddess Kali, Pune Clay, 1867

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Priest of the Hindu Goddess Kali was made in Pune in India in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It was exhibited as part of a group of figures representing various castes, occupations and religious sects. Such figures were exhibited at International Exhibitions and often won awards. This figure was accessioned by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in 1867 as a purchase from Stubb and Co.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a turned wooden base. The base is painted red. The figure is plaster/composition modeled over wooden dowels, it is painted with a dark brown skin tone and dressed in fabric. His garments consist of a white cotton coat, he has a number of strips of multicoloured cotton around his arms and waist, and is wearing a black belt with small gold balls around it. He is holding some twisted textile in his right hand.