VINTAGE FRENCH CHALK SCULPTURE SAINT TERESA ST. THERESE

SAINT TERESA

Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873 – 1897) was a French Catholic Carmelite nun, is recognized as a Doctor of the Church, one of only three women to receive that honor. She is also known as the Little Flower of Jesus and is generally depicted with a crucifix entwined with roses wearing the brown dress of the Carmelites. She expressed her faith through little deeds done in the service of God, known as the Little Way. She is also known for her extremely popular spiritual memoir, The Story of a Soul. Saint Therese of Lisieux is the patron saint of people with AIDS, aviators, florists, illnes and missions. In 1944, Pope Pius XII named her co-patroness of France alongside St. Joan of Arc. In August 2008, both of her parents, the Venerable Zelie and Louis Martin, were approved for beatification by Pope Benedict XVI.

VERY GOOD

In overall very good condition. Antique and vintage items by their very nature are used items and will show signs of normal wear due to age and use. As we define 'very good condition' relative to the stated age of the piece, we would expect to see 'character marks' consistent with that age and could include minor nicks or dings to a wooden or metal object, minor wear to a painted surface, minor speckling on a mirror, light crazing or small manufacturing glaze skips in ceramic finish, or slight wear to a label. If ceramic/porcelain restoration has been done, it is of museum-quality so that it is hardly discernable and would be mentioned in the listing. 'Very good condition' would not include chips or cracks in any glass or ceramic item.

ITEM SPECIFICS

Shows normal wear to finish and miscellaneous nicks, dings, and scratches due to age and use. This piece has been repainted a cream color at some point.

CHALKWARE

Chalkware is a term that refers to decorative items made out of gypsum, which were very popular from the late 18th century through the 1930s. Gypsum is a mineral compound also called sulphate of lime, which is usually found underground near limestone deposits. Raw gypsum is a pure white crystal called alabaster. When gypsum is heated, the resulting white powder is called burnt gypsum, also known as Plaster of Paris for the large gypsum deposit at Montmartre in Paris. Ordinary schoolroom chalk is also a form of burnt gypsum. Gypsum is easily cast into sculptures and decoration for frames, but is quite soft and breaks easily.

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