Molded plaster devotional figurine depicting the Infant Jesus of Prague

This is a molded plaster or chalkware devotional figurine depicting the subject known traditionally as the Infant Jesus of Prague. The sculpture stands upright on a rectangular tiered base, measuring approximately twelve inches in height, and is hand-painted in various tones. The figure wears an elaborate crown in shades of red and gold, a ruffled lace-patterned collar, and a long cream-colored cloak or robe adorned with painted green and brown decorative trimming. In the left hand, the figure holds a blue and gold globus cruciger, representing sovereignty, while the right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing with two fingers extended. The physical construction appears to be molded plaster, which is characteristic of devotional items manufactured during the mid-twentieth century for home altars or religious use. The paint shows noticeable surface wear, chipping, and craquelure, particularly around the edges of the base, the crown, and the folds of the garments, revealing the white plaster substrate underneath. There are no visible maker's marks, stamps, or signatures anywhere on the exterior surface. The identification of the subject rests entirely upon the distinct iconographic elements, specifically the royal crown, the specific hand gestures, the globus cruciger, and the formal ecclesiastical vestments associated with the Infant Jesus of Prague imagery. The style and material deterioration are consistent with religious plaster casts produced in Europe or the Americas during the mid-1900s, though no specific manufacturer or exact date of production can be determined from the visual evidence alone.

Based on what I can see in the photograph, this molded plaster or chalkware devotional figurine appears to depict the Infant Jesus of Prague, featuring standard iconographic elements such as the royal crown, the globus cruciger, and the blessing hand gesture. The figurine stands approximately twelve inches high on a tiered base and exhibits hand-painted polychrome details. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures on the exterior surface. Based on visual style and material deterioration, the piece appears consistent with mid-twentieth-century devotional plaster casts, though I can't verify from a photo whether it dates strictly to that period or is a later reproduction. I would need physical inspection to confirm the exact material composition, manufacturing techniques, and age. Assuming the attribution and mid-century dating are correct, comparable devotional plaster figures of this type typically trade in the $100 to $200 range in the current secondary market, driven by steady niche demand among collectors of religious folk art and devotional items. The value is significantly impacted by condition; the noticeable surface wear, paint chipping, and craquelure reduce its monetary worth compared to a pristine example. If the item turns out to be a modern reproduction, replica, or a later copy lacking mid-century age, the value would likely drop to the $30 to $50 range. To better understand this piece, physical inspection by a qualified expert specializing in religious artifacts or folk art would be needed, alongside potential blacklight examination to assess paint layers and surface preservation.