Item ST 40428 Indian Figure - Man Wearing Red Beads, Krishnanagar, Clay, circa 1880

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a man wearing red beads 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 (NGV) by the India Commission of the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a square base made from fired clay, painted white. The man is fired clay modeled over ferrous metal armature, which attaches to the base. The figure is painted with a dark brown skin tone and is dressed in fabric. He is wearing a red necklace and a red arm band on his right upper arm, and a white skirt. He is holding a piece of white cotton in his right hand, and there is a wooden rod attached to the base in an upright position in front of the figure, which has been partially snapped off.