E1278: India- Clay Figurine, Nurse ‘Aya’

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1278

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Art/Folk Art

Marks/Labels:

Number 14 in pencil on the front and back of figure stand. Previous number AW457514 from the Boston Children’s Museum.

Materials:

binding agents ➔ joiners ➔ metal wire ➔ armature
clay ➔ ceramic
fabric ➔ cloth ➔ cotton
fabric ➔ felt
colorant ➔ paint

Dimensions:

7.5 cm W
22.2 cm H

Provenance of Object:

Made by Krishnanagar artisans. Commissioned in India and brought to the United States. They were sent by the donor’s father who was in the Jute business ca. 1923 (BCM catalog card). Ended up at the Boston Children Museum where they were deaccessioned, and then continued to sit in boxes until they were acquired by Luther College.

Ethnic Group:

Asian ➞ India ➞ West Bengal ➞ Krishnanagar

Production Date:

Ca. 1923

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, India

Acquisition Date:

1923

Description:

Terracotta figurine of Indian nurse woman the “Aya”

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