Harappan metal figurine - S.0043

Photograph of the front of Harappan 'metal' figurine S.0043 measuring 10.4cm in height and 4.9cm in width. (Taken by author 2019)

Photograph of the top section of the figurine S.0043, showing the details of the face, and some areas of 'green corrosion' around the neck. (Taken by author 2019) 

Photograph showing the back of the figurine S.0043, with details of the area of repair on the upper leg, with clear adhesive around the join from a previous repair and also revealing the light beige colour of the base material that is likely plaster. (Taken by author 2019)

This object is a small 'metal figurine', of a naturalistic dancing woman that is currently in the UCL Ethnographic Collection (catalogue number S.0043). The context of this piece is largely unknown, though is stylistically consistent with a South East Asian origin. It is small in size, measuring approximately 10.4cm x 4.9cm x 3.3cm (HxWxD). She is wearing a necklace with pendants around her neck, and her arms have bangles up them, but is otherwise unclothed. There are several major breaks, and areas of chipping and surface flaking on both the back and the front of the figurine that expose the material beneath. The light colour and granular texture suggest that it is not made of metal as the collection catalogue indicates, but is likely plaster. This piece has been painted a dark brown to resemble a metal figurine, with areas of green ‘corrosion’ products that are in fact a green pigment that fluoresces under UV. Therefore, this piece is most likely a fake intended to look like an archaeological metal figurine from the Indus Valley.

This figurine is very similar to the 'Mohenjo-Daro Dancing girl' found in the 1920s and made of cast bronze. The original Dancing girl is one of the most famous pieces of artwork from the Indus civilisation, and thus is hugely important and well-known within South East Asian art, archaeology, and culture.

There are, however, slight differences between the original figurine and this plaster copy suggesting that this piece is a fake made to imitate the famed Dancing girl, but not a cast of the original. This plaster figurine as a copy of the Dancing girl from Mohenjo-Daro shares many of the same significances such as its aesthetic beauty and cultural importance. Especially relating to intangible aspects of the Indus culture, looking at gender, dance, and symbolism. This plaster copy provides access to these features from within the UK giving it substantial educational significance. Furthermore, this piece as a fake highlights the market that there is for fake figurines and archaeological objects and has significance within the modern world of art and archaeological forgeries.

Since the origin of this plaster figurine in the collection at UCL is largely unknown, there is no record of when it was acquired into the collection or from where. This makes tracing its history, and the date or location of production very difficult. Though it seems likely that this was intentionally produced as a fake made to imitate the Dancing girl and look like archaeological metal.