Definition:Chalkware

Chalkware dog figurines are made from gypsum plaster (calcium sulfate) poured into molds, allowed to set, and then hand-painted after demolding. The resulting pieces are lighter than ceramic and considerably more fragile — the painted surfaces chip, crack, and scratch more easily than fired glazes. Chalkware dog figurines were produced in America from the mid-19th century through the 1960s across a wide quality spectrum. At the lower end: carnival prizes and fairground novelties, often roughly painted and structurally weak. At the upper end: Mortens Studio pieces, which used wire-reinforced construction and hand-painting of exceptional quality. Victorian American chalkware dogs were often sold by itinerant vendors; later mid-century production came from studio makers and commercial gift manufacturers. Original, unrestored paint in excellent condition is the key value determinant.