Vintage Mexican Chalkware Snow Leopard Statue - Large 24" Hand-Painted Prowling Cat, Marked Mexico

Large vintage hand-painted chalkware snow leopard statue, made in Mexico, sculpted in a low prowling pose with head raised and mouth open in a snarl, stretched out across a rugged green rock base. Textured white coat with raised and impressed rosette spots, amber glass-look eyes, red-lined ears, black nose and russet-shaded paws, with the tail curled along the base. Impressed "Mexico" mark on the corner of the base. Measures 24" long x 10.5" high. Good vintage condition, with small paint chips along the base edges and paws, light scuffs, wear to the face paint and some surface residue on the back. Heavy, solid display piece. | | *Large Mexican chalkware and plaster big cat statues were a popular decor accent and souvenir in the mid-to-late 1900s, and they have made a strong comeback with collectors of kitschy retro and maximalist decor. Vintage chalkware leopard and panther figures of this size commonly sell online in the US$75-150 range, and the snow leopard colouring with detailed rosettes makes this one an eye-catching floor, hearth or shelf piece.