E1247: India- Clay Figurine, Oxcart Driver

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1247

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Art/Folk Art

Marks/Labels:

None

Materials:

binding agents ➔ joiners ➔ metal wire ➔ armature
botanical ➔ reed ➔ bamboo
clay ➔ ceramic ➔ earthenware
fabric ➔ cloth ➔ cotton
fabric ➔ cordage ➔ twine

Dimensions:

39 cm L
14 cm W
17 cm H

Provenance of Object:

Calcutta, India. Winthrop traveled to this part of India and relatively the same area where many of the clay dolls and figures were coming from.

Ethnic Group:

Asian ➞ India ➞ West Bengal ➞ Krishnanagar

Production Date:

Around the 1880’s as this was the time that many of similar figures were being used in exhibits such as the Melbourne International Exhibition (1880-81). After this it is possible the Europeans commissioned artisans to create smaller figurines to take back to other countries to depict the people of India.

Use/Function:

Though sometimes these figurines are referred to as Krishnangar clay dolls or toys, it seems likely that they were made with the function to be played with as they are immovable and attached to bases. It is more likely that the function of these were documentary artifacts that served as souvenirs for foreigners to depict their travels to India and the different people they might have encountered.

Source Locality:

Calcutta, West Bengal, made by Krishnanagar artisans.

Acquisition Date:

1874 – 1885

Description:

Clay figurine of Indian Oxcart driver made by Krishnanagar artisans in West Bengal.

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