Hoping someone can help....

I found this item while cleaning out my grandmothers place when she moved. No one seems to remember where it came from or what it is. Does anyone know, or can you point me in the right direction??

Thanks!

 

Yikes ! Talk about politically incorrect ! Search under black memorabilia ,black americana etc.

 

Pictures of the back and bottom might help. Off the cuff, it has a German look to me - the quality of the modeling. Conta & Boehme, or Unger Schneider & Co. are possibilities. There may be a mark on the back near the bottom edge.

 

Lot 254, James D. Julia, Inc., Spring 2003
AWESOME EARLY BLACK CHALKWARE SCULPTURE Copt. Jan. 1898 by J. Mardi. Boston, Mass. Beautiful large image of three Black Boys peering over fence into Watermelon Patch. An all original, hand painted chalkware casting. Boy’s faces are painted in early soft colors with exaggerated Negroid features. Statuette is well marked with original plaque cast on backside. SIZE: 12″h x 7″w x 15″l. CONDITION: All original paint in very good condition with the most minor of chipping.
http://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-254-awesome-early-black-chalkware-sculpture-29835/

 

Seems like grandma knew what she was doing..........nice find !

 

It may be, but it is SO ADORABLE!!!! NICE collector item!!!! Also may be a copy of the JULIA one????

 

There are distinct differences between the one the OP has and this one. In particular, the details of the heads are very different. The OP also makes no mention of a plaque on the back. Would like to see more pictures (bottom, back, etc.), be given a size, and the OP's impression of the material.

 

Hey, here's one, same genre, the seller deciphered as J. Hardy Boston, Mass. instead of J. Mardi. Boston, Mass.


Lot 38: Rare Blackamoor Cigar Holder
Carolina Country Store Featured Catalog Session by Mebane Antique Auction August 6, 2016 Mebane, NC, USA
Description: late 19th century; 10.5 inches height; beautiful molded
chalkware figural countertop cigar display, depicting African American
boy with arms wrapped around half watermelon, back is marked
Copyright January 16th, 1890 by J. Hardy Boston, Mass.; overall
condition is complete and original, only minor chipping and paint loss,
otherwise excellent; Provenance: Livingston Collection, Charleston, SC

I agree, more pics and info from @rpodmore are needed.

 

Sorry for the long delay in getting these pictures. life always gets in the way of fun!

Here is pictures of the back as well as the bottom. It feels like it is plaster.

 

I see J. Nardi

 

Here are some of the J. Nardi company's copyrights from the late 1890s. They gave them names that are probably impossible to attach to individual pieces unless they are marked with the names.
https://books.google.com/books?id=H...AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q="j. nardi" boston&f=false