19th Century American Cast Plaster Sculpture “Playing Doctor” Signed John Rogers

$1,975

About

This beautiful, terracotta sculpture was sculpted in New York, circa 1880. The patinated cast plaster piece features three children playing doctor, nurse and patient. The work of art is titled on the front “playing doctor” and is signed on the base John Rogers, New York. The piece is in excellent condition and has a richly patinated beige finish.
John Rogers (1829-1904) was an American sculptor who produced very popular, relatively inexpensive figurines in the latter 19th century.
He became famous for his small genre sculptures, popularly termed “Rogers Groups,” which were produced in cast plaster. Almost 80 Rogers Groups were sold across the United States and abroad.
At the height of their popularity, Rogers’ figurines graced the parlors of homes in the United States and were found as far away as Chile and Australia. The English novelist Charles Reade furnished his home with all the Rogers figurines available to him, and in the Dakota Territory, Lt. Col. George Custer and his wife had one.
Instead of working in bronze and marble, he sculpted in more affordable plaster, painted the color of putty to hide dust. Rogers was inspired by popular novels, poems and prints as well as the scenes he saw around him.
Measure: 15″ W x 11″ D x 15″ H.

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