HINDU FIGURE.
A VERY curious and interesting specimen of Hindu sculpture has been brought to this country, and is exhibited at Earle's auction-rooms, 240, Re- gent Street, previously to being sold by Mr. HESSEY, on the 3rd of May. It is a figure the size of life, representing a doorjee, or ladies' tailor, seated at his work. It is painted the colour of the skin of a Hindoo, with the hair, eye-brows and eye-lashes, and beard, as well as the eyes, finger- , nails, &c. closely resembling the life. The figure is completely formed : the proportions and disposition of the body and limbs, the bones, muscles, and veins, are accurately represented ; and it is clothed in the costume of the country, a white cotton dress and turban. This beautiful specimen of Hindu art is the work of a rude and self-taught native of Hindoostan, CHIT ROY by name, the most ingenious of the numerous " figure-makers " of that country,—a caste of natives who are employed to make idols, and earn a livelihood by carving little figures about eighteen inches high ; which are, however, barbarous as works of art. It is one of three or four clay models, the size of life, made by Cum ROY, as a trial of skill ; and is the last and by far the most successful of the number, and the only one of the kind ever seen in this country. A doorjee is usually domesticated in every respect- able family in India ; and so complete is the deception of this figure, that, being placed in an apartment through which natives were accustomed to pass, they invariably made their salam, supposing it to be a real person. Its execution certainly denotes the possession by the artist of more than merely mechanical skill ; and there is a character in the countenance and a feeling for nature displayed in the modelling of the flesh and the balance of the figure, that is not usually seen in the works of uneducated men. It is a remarkable and admirable production of human ingenuity, and is worthy the attention not only of the curious, but of the lover of art.
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