A Collection of 19th Century Clay Indian figures

A rare collection of six 19^th century clay Indian figures

Hand-crafted Indian clay figures. Very realistically modelled, with painted details, wearing cloth garments, standing on white plinths. Depicting various servants and tradesmen.

They would likely have been made and sold to officers in the English army when on tour.

India | c. 1825

Bengal. First half of 19th Century.

Each figure representing a trade or occupation, the bodies of clay, clothed in cloth or linen, ten raised on terracotta bases

Made by native craftsmen in Bengal, an area where figurative modelling flourished from the early 18th Century, these naturalistic figures are representations of life and culture during Colonial rule.

A set of six figures , sold in Christie’s South Kensington (7/10/09), Lot 81, Ismail Merchant Collection, £3,850.

Sadly, we will probably never know the name of this simple native artist who has displayed such genius in captivating the character and personalities of his subjects.