Antique 1930s Art Deco Esther Hunt Style Polychrome Chalkware Seated Asian Child Figurine

Details

Description

A captivating piece of early 20th-century American decorative art, this antique polychrome chalkware figurine depicts a chubby-cheeked Asian child seated … Read more A captivating piece of early 20th-century American decorative art, this antique polychrome chalkware figurine depicts a chubby-cheeked Asian child seated cross-legged in a traditional, textured robe.
Highly reminiscent of—and commonly attributed to—the celebrated Art Deco style of Esther Hunt, who gained widespread fame in the 1920s and 1930s for her striking plaster busts and figurines capturing Eastern motifs, this statue features a wonderful sculptural presence. The hand-painted detailing showcases an elegant, incised burgundy and gold pattern along the robes, a clean bobbed dark hairstyle, and an expressive, upward-gazing face.
Handcrafted from heavy plaster/gypsum chalkware, the piece possesses an authentic, rustic patina that instantly elevates bookshelves, mantels, or eclectic tabletops. While the underside has a smooth, black-painted layer over the raw base (common for era-appropriate display reinforcement), the weight, hand-brushed execution, and unmistakable design elements match premium American-made Art Deco chalkware molds. A spectacular accent piece for collectors of historic Americana folk art and vintage Chinoiserie. See less