Gaper figurehead - apothekers gaper handgevormd aardewerk - Earthenware

Dutch pharmacist gape – hand-shaped pottery – silver-colored – exceptionally heavy, 9.61 kg A spectacular rendition of the typi c Dutch pharmacist gape, executed as an expressive bust with a truly exceptional weight of no less than 9.61 kilograms. This is an object that immediately commands attention. The stout head, the wide-open mouth, piercing eyes and wildly modeled curls give the sculpture a nearly theatrical appearance. The silver-colored finish enhances the relief and makes every irregularity of the hand-formed surface beautifully come to life. A typical Dutch phenomenon The gape is among the most recognizable objects from Dutch pharmacy and drugstore history. The National Pharmaceutical Museum describes the gape as a typical Dutch sign for pharmacists and drugists. There must have been hundreds hanging above Dutch shops at one time; during the twentieth century they gradually disappeared from the streets. The open mouth is often misinterpreted as someone yawning. Historical sources instead relate it to the taking of medicines. The striking facial expression could refer to the unpleasant taste of the medicines. Precisely because of this, the gape is nowadays a beloved collecting area within Dutch folk art, pharmaceutical heritage, and shop memorabilia. Exceptionally expressive specimen This specimen deviates strongly from the smaller, industrially produced gapers that are regularly offered. It concerns a very large, roughly and expressively modeled bust with clearly visible traces of the making process. Notable features are: * Monumental pharmacist gape in bust form * Executed in heavy ceramic/earthenware-like material * Weight no less than 9.61 kg * Fully silver-colored finish * Very expressively modeled face * Characteristic open mouth * Strongly accentuated eyes and eyebrows * Particularly powerfully modeled curly wig * Rough, almost brutalist surface texture * Hollow construction, visible at the bottom * Large decorative and sculptural effect The combination of the smoother worked face with the very rough skin texture around the neck and shoulders gives the sculpture a distinctly artistic, almost expressionist character. The small matchbox in the photos also provides a good impression of the imposing size. Origin and dating In my research I was able to find various historical and more recent Dutch gapers, including specimens in museum collections and various twentieth-century executions. Catawiki has regularly offered Dutch pharmacist gapers as well. For this specific 9.61 kg heavy specimen, however, I have not been able to find a convincingly identical documented model or maker’s name. There is no clearly legible signature visible in the photos either. Therefore I deliberately do not claim a specific artist, manufacturer, or exact dating for Catawiki. The sculptural execution also clearly deviates from the well-known smaller Intec/Holland Museum gapers. It will probably have been produced in the second half of the 29th century. Condition The statue is in a characterful used state. The rough modeling, irregularities, craquelure/cracks, and different surface textures are clearly visible. At the underside the hollow construction is visible and there are also cracks and irregularities. On one side there is a small area with a differently colored spot. Given the artisanal character, it is not always possible to determine which irregularities occurred during manufacture and which later. Therefore the photos are explicitly considered part of the condition description. With its weight of 9.61 kilograms, impressive dimensions and pronounced face, this is not an ordinary pharmacist decoration, but a true statement piece. A fantastic object for a collector of gapers, Dutch folk art, pharmacist memorabilia, curios, or special sculptural objects. Dimensions: Height 33 cm Depth 20 cm Width 26 cm Photos provide a clear view of the quality and are part of the description. The interior photos were AI-generated and are intended solely to illustrate the object in a living environment. Shipping Shipping only to destinations within the European Union and only via Catawiki Smart Shipping. No shipments to countries outside the EU. Manual shipping outside the Smart Shipping procedure is not offered. Shipping only takes place when Catawiki, for the delivery address provided by the buyer, provides a regular Smart Shipping label within the normal EU shipping procedure. If for a delivery address additional customs formalities, an EORI registration, tax registration, or any other additional seller registration are required and thereby no regular EU Smart Shipping label can be created, the order cannot be processed outside Smart Shipping. In that case the order must be reviewed and handled via Catawiki. The object is carefully and securely packed and shipped with tracking. The shipping costs also cover packing materials and handling of the shipment. Pickup is only possible when the lots are auctioned for more than €50, only by appointment and during office hours. vintage glass head, glass mannequin, glass display head, decorative glass object, retro interior, display decoration pharmacist gape, gape, pharmacy gape, drugstore gape, Dutch gape, Dutch gaper, pharmacy gape, pharmacist figure, pharmacy sign, drugstore sign, pharmaceutical heritage, pharmacy memorabilia, pharmacist memorabilia, Dutch folk art, Dutch folk art, folk art, earthenware statue, ceramic statue, ceramic sculpture, large sculpture, monumental statue, 9.61 kg, heavy sculpture, silver-colored statue, silver sculpture, expressive statue, expressionist sculpture, brutalist sculpture, brutalist art, man bust, head sculpture, bust, open mouth, curios, shop memorabilia, advertising object, trade sign, shop sign, pharmacist collection, medical antiques, pharmaceutical antiques, Dutch pharmacy, collector’s item, statement piece, vintage pharmacy decor, large decorative statue.

估價:$112.05

查看所有物品來自Catawiki或Miscellaneous