African American Salt And Pepper Shakers Appraisal

Vintage Figural African American Chef and 'Mammy' Salt and Pepper Shakers

This is a pair of figural salt and pepper shakers, likely made of ceramic or pottery, depicting caricatures of African American kitchen staff. The figures are distinct, one representing a female cook or 'mammy' figure and the other a male chef. Both are designed with an exaggerated, somewhat stereotypical appearance. The female figure wears a red headwrap with a prominent bow, a white apron, and a red blouse/underskirt. She holds a brown spoon in her right hand. The male figure wears a white chef's hat, a white chef's coat or apron, and a yellow undershirt/jacket. He holds a dark pan or object with a handle. Both figures feature dark skin tones, large white eyes, and red lips, typical of 'black Americana' stereotypes prevalent in the mid-20th century. The paint application appears to be hand-painted with some minor inconsistencies and areas of color bleed, indicating mass production rather than high-end craftsmanship. There is visible wear and chipping on the red paint particularly around the base of the female figure and on the red trim of the male figure, suggesting age and use. The bottoms of the shakers, though not fully visible, would typically have holes for filling and stopper. Given the style and subject matter, these shakers likely date from the mid-20th century, approximately 1940s-1970s. The quality indicates they were designed as novelty or souvenir items rather than fine art. No visible maker's marks or signatures are discernible from the provided images, but such items were commonly produced by various companies.