Duncan Enterprises Appraisal

Duncan Enterprises Ceramic Figurine - Maiden on a Rock

This is a vintage ceramic figurine depicts the rear view of a young woman or maiden seated upon a textured rock or stone formation. The figurine is crafted from glazed ceramic or earthenware and features a soft, muted color palette characteristic of mid-to-late 20th-century hobbyist ceramics. The figure wears a slate-blue dress with puffed sleeves and a prominent, hand-painted dusty rose or terracotta-colored bow tied at the small of her back. The rock base transition from a smooth, light-cream bisque-like finish on top to a heavily textured, brown-washed 'stone' texture at the bottom. A very important identifying maker's mark is visible on the center-back of the base: a stylized 'M' above the stamped text '© DUNCAN ENTERPRISES'. This indicates the piece likely originated as a ceramic mold from Duncan Enterprises, a leader in the DIY ceramics movement. The piece appears to have been hand-painted by a hobbyist, which is evident in the visible brushstrokes on the bow and the varied application of the glaze. This style of slip-cast ceramics was particularly popular from the 1960s through the 1980s. The condition shows minor wear consistent with age, including small dark specks in the glaze and a visible horizontal seam line where the mold sections joined, though no major chips or cracks are immediately apparent from this angle.