$1,100
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
17" (43 cm.) Hand-sculpted wax head with rich brown complexion,the
head affixed to a wire armature for strength,and having brown
glass up-glancing eyes,tiny nose,open mouth with very jovial
expression,teeth,plump cheeks,bald pate,and on original wire frame
body wrapped in cloth,large sculpted wax hands in expressive
pose,linen uniform. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Mary
McEwen,circa 1920,the wax artist learned her trade from her
husband's business,McEwen Wax Works,which made wax mannequins for
store displays; after her husband's death,McEwen moved to
Seattle,and according to legend,began to create miniature wax
people using the same techniques employed in her husband's
business. For about 20 years,she is said to have produced 100s of
these small dolls,each individually sculpted and each entirely
made by her. Never marketed,the dolls were only later discovered
in her estate. The rare dolls are notable for their
distinctive,highly personalized expressions. Value Points: well-
preserved model wearing his original costume.