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Figure

Figure

  • Place of origin:

    Krishnagar, India (possibly, made)

  • Date:

    19th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Moulded clay, cotton

  • Credit Line:

    Given by Mailey-Claire Danks-Flower

  • Museum number:

    IS.59:1 to 4-2006

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

  • Image unavailable

This figure is one of many such clay models made in India in the 19th century. They were intended to represent different Indian occupations or caste ‘types’ and aimed to illustrate the ‘peoples of India’. These small clay figurines were produced in various cities in India including Lucknow, Krishnagar, Calcutta and Pune and sold to visiting Europeans. Groups of them were also displayed in many of the international exhibitions of the period.

Physical description

This model is wearing a red coloured dhoti and red turban. The turban is tied in a very realistic manner. He is carrying a wooden bow and two wooden spears. He has red and white marks on his arms, chest and his forehead. He has a beard and moustache made out of fibre that have been stuck to the clay. His eyes, finger and toe nails have been painted in. He is a very realistic model.

Place of Origin

Krishnagar, India (possibly, made)

Date

19th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Moulded clay, cotton

Dimensions

[Model figure] Height: 16.5 cm
[Model bow] Height: 10 cm
[Model spear] Length: 7.5 cm
[Model spear] Length: 7.6 cm

Descriptive line

Model of a tribesman wearing a red dhoti and turban, carrying a bow and two spears, possibly made in Krishnagar, 19th century.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

T.N. Mukherjee, Art Manufactures of India, pg, 59.

Production Note

According to T.N. Mukherjee, such realistic models were a feature of the model makers at Krishnagar, a town near Calcutta. See T.N. Mukherjee, Art Manufactures of India, pg, 59.

Materials

Cotton (textile); Clay

Techniques

Modelling (forming)

Subjects depicted

Men; Turbans; Spears; Bows

Categories

Sculpture; Figures & Decorative ceramics

Collection code

SSEA

Qr_O130505
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