Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Brahmini Sacred Bull was made in Krishnanagar province, 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. It was gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria by the India Commission of the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81. The NGC Stock book identifies the figure as 'A Brahmini or Sacred Bull'.

Physical Description

Figure of a bull on a base. The base is of fired clay painted white. There is a paper label glued to the upper surface. The animal is fired clay modelled over ferrous metal armature. The animal is attached to the base by armatures through the legs. It is painted white with grey horns, hooves and nose and has been varnished. It also has a symbol on each side of its hindquarters. The right ear and horn, upper part of the tail, part of the left ear and horn and part of the front right foot have cracked and been lost, probably due to corrosion of the metal armatures.

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