Ceramic crying baby head on pedestal

Not only am I moved by "cute" items at the thrift, but also by "odd".

Any ideas on this? 7 1/2 inches high, ceramic, heavy.

Realize I might be just turning around and donating this back, but thought I'd run it by the group here.

Copy of something? Student work? Commission? Thanks!

 

I know its way out of left field,but my knee jerk reaction was Augusta Savage.I love this!

 

CUTE as a BUTTON!!!!!!!!! LOVE it too!!!!! But not a clue

 

Had to look up Augusta Savage... I don't think hers (unfortunately) but can see why you thought of that artist.

Forgot to mention, no signature anywhere.

Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks!

 

This one is marble at 1st Dibs 1920s. hmmmm?

 

Wow, almost exactly the same except for the material. Good find, Huntingtreasure!

I looked up the 1stDibs ad -- unfortunately no longer a live listing. Description said:

1920s Marble Crying Baby's Head | From a unique collection of antique and modern sculptures.

Can't be sure the one shown on 1stdibs is actually 1920's. But a FANTASTIC lead and holding my thrift version side by side, I think it is the same ... mold? ... copy? -- wonder what this thing is?!

 

perhaps for creating a mold?

 

I seem to think artist make a “dry run” piece first. But I’m really not sure. I thought it looked the same as yours too! It was hard to tell, flipping back and forth.

 

This is bronze. What’s going on?
Bernardo Balestrieri (1884-1965) - bronze sculpture of a crying baby - circa 1920-1930

 

Another one! Was there any info on the bronze?

I agree! What is going on?

P.S. Will be away from the computer for a few hours -- but keep the ideas coming!

 

Post edited to include info that was on catwiki. Also no longer avail.

 

Bronze one has the most detail, so I assume yours and the other on 1stdibs are copies of it. The "marble" one could easily be ceramic as well (1stdibs is often unreliable). The bronze one also has Balestrieri's signature on the right side, sculpture is called "Bimbo" (baby). Google his name and bimbo and there are several in bronze, some of them reproductions, so it seems to be a fairly popular sculpture and not surprising copies would be cast in ceramic too (the hole on the bottom of yours indicates it was slip cast I believe).

 

Thank you so much, Jeff! Yes, seems to be a copy of a Balestrieri piece.

Wonder if this is will find a buyer on Ebay. Not expecting much $, but maybe I'll list it and see what happens!

Thank you for the great info and thanks to everyone who took a look!

 

Reminds me of the huge baby heads at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Creepy