Indian Figure - Peon, Poona, Clay, circa 1880

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Summary:: Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

Clay figure of a Peon 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 'Badgad Messenger or Peon'.
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 white tunic with a black floral pattern, a white waist sash, a red sash over his shoulder, and white trousers. He has painted white hat and red shoes. He is holding a piece of paper in his left hand.
Acquisition Information:: Donation (Probable) from Exhibition: 1880 International, Melbourne, 1880

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	19.5 cm (Height), 9 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 paper label: 144 Handwritten in pencil on the underside of the base: 53
Place & Date Made:	Pune, Maharashtra, India, circa 1880 NGV Stock book gives date range.