Chalkware, Plaster Portraits Plaques - George Washington & James Lawrence

Hand-painted portrait profiles [medallions] are among the rarest, and earliest examples of chalkware.

James Lawrence (born Oct. 1, 1781, Burlington, N.J., died June 1, 1813, in a sea battle off Boston, Mass.) was a U.S. naval officer of the War of 1812 whose dying words, "Don't give up the ship", became one of the U.S. Navy's most cherished traditions. The hero's name is die-stamped [impressed]... flanking the portrait at side margins; his name is also painted in script beneath the portrait.

George Washington needs no introduction... his name is inscribed in script at side margins centering the profile; his name is also painted in script beneath the portrait.

Date: Circa 1815

Measurement: Each measured: 4.75" x 5.75" x 1"

Material: Molded plaster of Paris, polychrome

Condition: Lawrence displays strong color and is intact; the black paint appears to be very old; traces of gold paint on left proper side. There is a crack under "George W" that travels outward to front of frame. A thin black wood frame was applied as a facing in the 19th century preserving and protecting the integrity of the shadowbox.

SOLD