E1273: India- Figurine, Fruit vendor

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E1273

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Art/Folk Art

Marks/Labels:

None

Materials:

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

Dimensions:

6.35 cm L
6.35 cm W
22.76 cm H

Provenance of Object:

Part of a collection of 20 figures from Calcutta, India that were sent to the donor’s father, who was in the Jute business. Donated to Boston Children's Museum in 1947. Given to the Luther College Ethnographic Collection in 2016.

Ethnic Group:

Asian ➞ India ➞ West Bengal ➞ Krishnanagar

Production Date:

ca. 1923

Use/Function:

Terracotta figure categorized by Boston Children's Museum catalog as building furnishing as a household accessory.

Terracotta figure categorized as building furnishing and subcategorized as a household accessory. This figurines caste system role is a fruit vendor or “Phul Wallah”.

Source Locality:

India (Calcutta, India)

Acquisition Date:

October 25 1947

Description:

This terracotta figure is representative of a fruit vendor, or “Phull Wallah.” He is wearing a white cotton garment that is wound around his waist and over his head. His left arm is bent as if carrying a tray at his shoulder.

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