E1277: India- Clay Figurine, Coachman

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1277

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Art/Folk Art

Marks/Labels:

-Number 13 on front and back of figurine base.
- AW 457S13 located on bottom of figurine base.

Materials:

binding agents ➔ joiners ➔ metal wire ➔ armature
fabric ➔ cloth ➔ cotton
clay

Dimensions:

6.35 cm L
6.35 cm W
24.13 cm H

Provenance of Object:

This object was likely manufactured in Krishnanagar, India. Krishnanagar figures are usually have very animated expressions and forms, and are considered to be so lifelike that they could have been modeled on actual people. This particular object exhibits these lifelike qualities, particularly in the dress and facial expression.

Ethnic Group:

Asian ➞ India ➞ West Bengal ➞ Krishnanagar

Production Date:

c. 1923; not only did the document accompanying this figure date this figure as having been produced around 1923, but the specific dress that the figure itself wears is from that time period as well. It is representative of the early to mid-1920s.

Use/Function:

This figure was most likely used as a display and not for any use in particular. Krishnanagar figures are generally very delicate and are not meant to be played with; instead, they are meant to be decorative, and in some cases may symbolize class differences in the Indian caste system.

Source Locality:

Part of a collection of 20 figures from Calcutta, India.

Acquisition Date:

1946 – 1947

Description:

This figure represents the driver of a horse drawn carriage during the reign of Queen Victoria. With the rise of automobiles in larger cities, a coachman such as this is rarely seen today.

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