Chalkware "Village Dentist"

Antiques : Chalkware

 

The capped dentist working on the reluctant boy struggling to escape his efforts was originally sold door to door. This early style, caramel-colored figure stands 12-1/2 inches tall. Titled "Village Dentist" #18, some of the glaze is missing and letters are missing. On the bottom of the piece, "West's Statuary" appears in a circular stamp that was pressed into the mold. A pen mark (#315) specifies a previous inventory. There are some small nicks and scrapes, but overall, a wonderful find.

Large Chalkware figures were first popular from 1860 to the 1890's. Made of plaster of Paris, they were formed in a mold. Often, they were painted in a solid color and then glazed, but they were not baked. Thus, the piece was very soft and very likely to chip or be nicked. Also, the glaze would wear very quickly. Chalkware is very hard to date precisely.

Item ID: 001007209