Modeling Cultures: 19th Century Indian Clay Figures

A hidden history of 19th-century Indian clay figures, known as 'Poonah' figures, has been uncovered through a research project examining collections from the Royal Exhibition Building (REB) and Carlton Gardens. The study reveals that these figures were part of the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition and provides new insights into the cultural significance and provenance of this collection. The research relied on rudimentary documentation, highlighting the challenges in preserving and understanding such historical artifacts. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of the REB's role as a custodian of global exhibition legacies.

H.F. Smith, C., & Stevenson, M. (2010). MODELING CULTURES: 19th Century Indian Clay Figures. Museum Anthropology, 33(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1548-1379.2010.01074.x