My Dad had several hobbies over the years. One of them was ceramics. I have two pieces he made, a planter which resembles a log and this little baby sucking her thumb and twirling her hair.
I wasn’t able to shake the habit of sucking my thumb until I was seven years old and was often reminded of this.
On the underside he carved his initials FD for Fred Dempsey.
The baby at one time had an accident, breaking into two pieces and had to be glued together.
Other pieces he made were a Madonna bust, a praying Madonna bust, a full Madonna statue with a crown (left), praying hands, and a rearing black stallion.
I cannot remember any being painted in color and most were white. Exceptions were the black stallion and the log shaped planter which is a dark grey, a mixture of white and black brushed on to make it look like wooden grain.I thought it would be fun to do this one today since Dad thought of me when he chose to make this piece and Tuesday’s Child, the baby she represents, will be turning 58 in two days.
© 2016 Cathy Meder-Dempsey
Happy almost birthday! How were these made? Was it done by hand? Or a mold? Very nice memento!
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They are too perfect to have been done by hand. Porcelain slip is poured into a plaster of paris mold – the plaster “pulls” the liquid out of the slip allowing it to harden along the walls of the mold. Excess slip is poured off, mold has to dry several hours before it’s opened and piece is allowed to “fall out.” Seams and the hole are cleaned up and this is the point when my Dad added his initials. It is then left to dry completely before being fired in a kiln.
Thank you for the birthday wish, Amy!
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Thanks for the explanation. I thought it was from a mold, but you never know!
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You’re welcome Amy!
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Happy Birthday! What a beautiful sentimental piece.
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Thank you Jen!
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Priceless!. and hope you have a fab. birthday.
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Thank you for the birthday wish!
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They are so darling! Loved it!
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Thank you True!
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