Garden Figurine Appraisal

Painted Cast Concrete Garden Figurine of a Seated Boy

This is a garden figurine crafted from what appears to be painted cast concrete, depicting a young Black boy in a seated position. The figure is designed to be placed outdoors, likely as a lawn ornament or porch decoration. It measures approximately 18-24 inches in height, judging by its proportion to the wooden steps it is placed against. The boy is depicted with dark skin, wearing a pink-colored collared shirt with visible buttons down the front, and light blue overalls with suspenders that are also painted blue. His bare feet are visible, and his hands are clasped together in his lap, holding a small object, possibly a nut or a toy. His hair is sculpted in short, tight curls typical of African American hairstyles. The painted finish shows significant wear and weathering, particularly on the face, hands, and feet, suggesting prolonged exposure to the elements. There is some chipping and fading of the paint, revealing the underlying gray concrete material. A notable white scuff mark or paint loss is present on his forehead. The overall craftsmanship is folk art in style, with simplified features and robust construction suitable for outdoor display. The style and subject matter are reminiscent of garden gnomes or other decorative lawn statues popular from the mid-20th century onwards. There are no obvious maker's marks or signatures visible from the provided images.