Clay figurine of a man

myminifactory

This nearly complete artifact is a small clay figurine measuring just 3 inches or 76 mm in length without its head attached. The figurine depicts a man grasping a hat tightly in one hand while holding gloves firmly in the other. Crafted using a two-piece mold, the seams visible on either side of his body reveal this method of creation, which involved white ball clay - a material also used for tobacco pipes and wig curlers. A coat and pair of breeches are worn by the figurine, with hints suggesting that its jacket and breeches may have been painted red in the past, as residual pigment is visible on certain spots. The discarded female counterpart was discovered nearby, possibly abandoned after losing her head just like this one. Comparable clay men have been found in various locations including the Netherlands, Jamaica, Virginia, and Maryland. In contrast to other regal and religious figurines unearthed at Chesapeake archaeological sites which may once have sat proudly on mantels or in cabinets, this figurine exudes a rustic, folklike quality due to its small size and somewhat crude mold. Given its diminutive stature and the relatively primitive mold used for creation, it's possible that this clay figurine was intended as a toy for children who lived at Mount Vernon. Discovered within Phase 1 of the midden dating back to around 1735-1758, the clay couple could have served as playthings for Sarah Washington, Lawrence and Anne’s daughter.