Thomas Blackshear Ebony Visions Praise Figurine Appraisal

Thomas Blackshear's Ebony Visions 'Praise' Figurine

This is a large, cold-cast resin figurine titled 'Praise' from the Ebony Visions collection by renowned artist Thomas Blackshear. The piece depicts three African American women in gospel choir robes, captured in a moment of spiritual exaltation. They are dressed in flowing cream-colored robes with intricate sculptural draping. The central figure wears a white vest with gold geometric patterns, while the flanking figures wear deep burgundy vests with gold horizontal stripes. Their hair is meticulously detailed in braids adorned with gold-tone beads. One figure holds a rolled scroll, and another holds a small hymnal or Bible. The figures are mounted on a dark, polished wood-style oval base featuring a small brass nameplate that reads 'Praise'. The craftsmanship is indicative of high-quality collectible resin work, with a focused attention on emotive facial expressions and anatomical grace. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or significant fading to the pigment. This series originated in the mid-1990s and is highly regarded in the realm of Black Americana and contemporary collectibles for its 'Afro-Nouveau' style, blending Art Nouveau aesthetics with African heritage. The scale suggests this is one of the larger limited edition or open edition tabletop centerpieces from the collection.