Jack Tar Chalkware Figurine

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Chalkware Nautical Sculpture of Jack Tar - Sold

American, probably New England, 19th Century Plaster with hand painted decorations.

Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 5 inches.

Description:

Chalkware figurines are an indigenous art form to America and considered examples of American folk art due to the individually casting and hand painting of each figure. Most examples appear to have been made in Pennsylvania and New England as purely decorative objects. Speculation exists that these figures were produced to more economically compete with Staffordshire figures.

Of the countless varieties of figures produced in the Nineteenth Century, the fireman and the nautical figure of Jack Tar are the most desirable and elusive to collectors.

This is the first Jack tar figure that we have had the opportunity to acquire, and its expertly painted decorations and rare, pristine condition marks this as certainly one of the best extant items of its type.

Reference:

Treasury of American design and Antiques, by Clarence C. Hornung, copyright 1950, p.s. 378-390, Fig. 1354