Chalkware Owl Figurine

HAND-PAINTED CHALKWARE OR PLASTER OWL FIGURINE WITH BRIGHT YELLOW AND RED RING EYES, BASE INSCRIBED "1207" A molded chalkware or plaster owl figurine, stocky and upright with tufted ears, painted overall in a deep maroon-brown with a slight sheen, the large round eyes ringed in scalloped yellow with magenta-red irises and black pupils, a bright orange-yellow beak, and orange-yellow scalloped talons at the front of the base. The back and shoulders carry molded scale and leaf feather detail, individually highlighted in white, cream, gray, tan, and black over the brown ground, with a few stray blue paint flecks visible at the neck and body. The base is flat, unglazed, and painted white, hand-inscribed in black "1207," with no maker name, country, or copyright present. Flaws include scattered small paint chips and losses at the base rim and the front talons where the white plaster body shows through, a chipped spot along one lower edge, dark rubbing and paint thinning on the high points, small surface pits and mold pinholes, general dust, and stray blue paint specks on the body. UNTESTED - the material has not been scratch-tested or verified, and the figure is heavy for its size and not intended for outdoor use. Sold as one figurine. Description Form: upright molded owl with tufted ears, molded scale-and-leaf feathering across the back and breast, scalloped talons at the front of a flat base Material and finish: chalkware or plaster with hand-brushed paint, deep maroon-brown ground, individually picked-out feather highlights, high-contrast painted eyes Marks: base hand-inscribed in black "1207" - no maker name, no country of origin, and no copyright line is present, so no maker is claimed Size: approximately 5 1/2 in tall and approximately 4 in across the body at the widest, with the base approximately 3 in across, per the tape-measure photographs. Attribution note Chalkware - gypsum plaster cast in molds and finished in oil or water-based paint rather than glaze - was produced in enormous quantity for the American gift, novelty, carnival prize, and hobby-ceramics trade from the nineteenth century into the later twentieth, and because the pieces were unglazed and hand-decorated, the same mold often turns up in wildly different color schemes. Owls were among the most heavily produced decorative subjects of the 1960s and 1970s, and hand-painted plaster and ceramic owls in earth tones were a standing fixture of that era's decor. The hand-inscribed "1207" on the base is most consistent with a mold or catalog number rather than a signature, and hand-painted figures of this kind were frequently finished by hobby and ceramics-class painters as well as by commercial shops, which is one explanation for the individually brushed feather highlights and the stray paint flecks. Because there is no maker mark, no firm, date, or country of manufacture can be established from the photographs, and the exact material - chalkware, plaster, or a plaster-like composition - cannot be confirmed without handling. All identification, material, and period comments are offered as the consignor's photo-based opinion and are not guaranteed. Bid on the item(s) as pictured. Notes for bidders Chalkware and plaster are far more fragile than they look - a short fall onto a hard floor will shatter a piece like this, so set it down rather than sliding it. Never wash it or wipe it with a damp cloth, since the body is porous and unglazed and water will soften the plaster and lift the paint; dust with a dry soft brush only. Keep it indoors and away from humidity, since damp causes staining and flaking. Do not attempt to touch up the chips with household paint, as mismatched overpaint hurts value more than honest wear. Display it out of direct sun to keep the reds and yellows from fading. Only the item(s) pictured are included in this lot. Terms Sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty expressed or implied. All sales final. Please ask any questions before bidding. Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping arrangements per auction terms.