Marked Pottery or Plaster Figurine -Help Please!

[Mat]

Hi all, I am lost with this one. It is 15 cm high and has a mark on the bottom, I think CI under a crown? It is relatively light, and someone suggested it is chalkware, but it seems to be glazed (I can see crackles in the surface and I do not think it is paint). Is anyone familiar with the mark and how old would you think it is?
Thank you,
Mat

[Pelady]

I do not know the mark but the shape you are calling the C makes me think of of the Greek omega symbol.

[mart]

https://www.metmuseum.org/pubs/bulletins/1/pdf/3257282.pdf.bannered.pdf

Mat,,, Not sure but this area is worth checking !!  Its the first thing that came to my mind !!

[Rauville]

Reminds me somewhat of early English pearlware / creamware type pottery??
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/573646071280030813/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/573646071277623448/

[Ipcress]

I don’t recognise the mark but that and the figure appear to be more Continental in style, although it might be an obscure Staffordshire piece.


I’ll have a browse for the mark

[mart]

I don’t recognise the mark but that and the figure appear to be more Continental in style, although it might be an obscure Staffordshire piece.


I’ll have a browse for the mark

I thought typical English style but early !!  Did wonder if it had been stained when made or if the dark areas were just grunge !!

[KC]

I agree about the "shadowing" "aging" on the piece.  Older pieces didn't have that when made.

The bottom of the piece looks more like a "concrete mix" than chalkware, etc.

[mart]

https://www.antiqueparian.com/en-GB/about-parian-ware/page_302

This tells a bit about parian ware !!  I would try to clean the figure without scrubbing and see if the stain remains !!  Parian ware should be a cool off white but some did have staining to accent the figures !!  That was closer to the turn of the century though !!

[Mat]

Thank you all! I am not sure, but the headdres of the figure reminds me of Italy? The brown "stains" are not dirt, but part of the glaze, rather unusual. Parian ware usually seems to be a bit better in quality, doesn't it?
Mat

[mart]

The early pieces were a good quality but as time passed they were not as good !!  The later pieces were more ordinary and some makers did use stain to accent the features !!

[KC]

This DOES NOT look like Parian ware.  It was smooth and looked like marble.

I was thinking Italy as well.  This was the dress of Sicilian women, peasant women at one time!

Just search Sicilian woman carrying basket and you will see bunches!



https://www.art.com/products/p14463537-sa-i2811915/portrait-of-a-sicilian-girl.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=1838&dimvals=1838-23951&ui=8c50db2003364706b47041eb43959ec1&rfid=054402&domain=com&gclid=cp7b-qwspk8cfasdtgodzw8dzw&ctid=1545241889

[Mat]

Thank you KC, yes, these dresses are indeed very similar! I posted it on an Italian pottery marks forum, If I learn more about it, I will post the info here...

[SophieMarie]

Hi Mat,

This one has me a little confused.  When I first saw the blown up portion of the base with the relief (CI under crown), I thought the bottom had a blue tinge and seemed somewhat "stone-like".  I think someone has even mentioned concrete in appearance.  So, I took your originally base photo and enlarged it myself and looked different.  My guess is that you enhanced the photo for us to get a better view of the hallmark. 

Does the base of the object appear heavier to you than the top of the item?