Paul Hardy Antiques

Description

A charming, hand carved cherub, hands clasped in prayer, almost certainly from France. This is the master mould for creating a number of identical plaster versions. The hardwood would have been covered in papier maché which is then cut free with a knife you can see the score marks on the thigh, and elsewhere. The resulting mould is then filled with plaster and, lo, several cherubs can be made, all the same.
Date is guesswork at mid-19thC but it may be earlier
The figure measured about 45cms from head to toe. He/She/They is quite crudely carved, and there are splits and small holes (pin holes I think, not worm), and has a very charming smile. The very tip of her nose seems to have gone missing, some years ago.
A great decorative piece, and who knows, maybe will go on to become a papier maché mould again.

My shop at 1 Bridge St, Dulverton TA22 9HJ is open
1030 - 5pm Tues-Sat, and by appointment