Item ST 39765 Indian Figure - House Servant (above stairs), Pune, Clay, circa 1867

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of an above stairs house servant 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 wooden base. The base is painted, black turned wood. The figure is plaster/composition modeled over wooden dowels, it is painted with a terracotta skin tone and dressed in fabric. His garments consist of a painted red hat, a white coat with pink and yellow detailing on the inside of the sleeves and the bodice, a red waist sash, and blue and white stripped trousers.