If only these figurines could talk, I am sure they would have quite the stories to tell! Sylvia Hood had an impeccable flare for detail in her sculpting and these figurines are no exception. They are titled “The Idyllic Family” and when you are in their presence, you can certainly see why. They are painted with shades of turquoise, royal blue, olive green, and black. Their details and features truly bring them to life. If they could speak, the father would begin by boasting with pride as he stands tall, hands held behind his back, his wig properly tied with a dainty red bow. He is a fine gentleman in his blue knickers, suit jacket and perfectly tucked red ruffled shirt. He would boast of his wife’s delicate beauty and amazing sense of style as her dress is perfectly polka dotted and her shoulders are draped gracefully with an olive-green shawl. She gently grips a tiny red fan, which she may need at the after-church picnic. The children stand tall with their hats clutched behind their backs as if to say, “we are beautifully dressed and well behaved, we will not get dirty!” But the story they would want to tell you the most is that they are dressed to impress and ready for a change of scenery. They would love to be addition to your home.
Sylvia was a true mid-century artist. She decorated sets for “77 Sunset Strip” and a few other shows in California and she did a little “dabbling” in interior design. She was a painter, a sculptor, and loved driving her MG all around the streets of Pasadena. Her grandson told that she loved the song “The Little Old lady from Pasadena” By the Beach Boys and that she was “Just sure” it was written about her! Her logo gives a clue to some of the work that is rarer. She lived in Pasadena California in the early 1960’s when she began sculpting with a material known as Extone. It is comparable with the chalkware but according to her grandson, this was a material her husband Allen had developed for his work in aerospace. It is comprised of plaster of Paris, latex paint, and white glue, and perhaps a little sand. He used it for aerospace patterns, Allen Hood oversaw quality control for the Apollo 15 Command Module for North America/Rockwell. He had many top-secret projects he worked on such as Norden Bomb Sites in the Empire State Building.
This family has had its share of adventures over the years but it’s time for them to settle down and find a forever home. As with all families, there may be some imperfections, but they have an Idyllic bond that just cannot be broken. You need them in your life! Make them yours!!
