Indian Figure - Rayport Merchant, Poona, Clay, circa 1880

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Summary:: Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Rayport Merchant was made in Pune, 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. Pune sent exhibits to the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition as part of the British India Court. This figure was gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) by the India Commission of the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81. The NGV Stock book records identify the figure as a 'Rayport Merchant'.
Description:: Figure of a man on a wooden base. The base is painted red turned wood. A paper label is glued to the upper side of the base. The figure is plaster/composition modeled over wooden dowels, it is painted with a terracotta skin tone and is dressed in fabric. His garments consist of a green and grey turban, a white and black patterned shirt, a white coat, a red waist sash, and white trousers. He is holding a folded piece of paper in his left hand and a red leather folder in his right.
Acquisition Information:: Donation (Probable) from Exhibition: 1880 International, Melbourne, 1880

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	17.5 cm (Height), 8 cm (Width)

Tagged with:	exhibitions melbourne international 1880-1881
Themes this item is part of:	Clay Modelling in India, Poona (Poonah/Pune) Clay Modelling, Royal Exhibition Building Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
Primary Classification:	PUBLIC EVENTS
Secondary Classification:	Melbourne International Exhibition 1880
Tertiary Classification:	exhibition heritage
Inscriptions:	Printed in black ink on label: 149 Handwritten on underside of base in pencil: 58
Place & Date Made:	Pune, Maharashtra, India, circa 1880 NGV Stock book gives date range.