The definition of Family… “a group of persons united by the ties of marriage, blood, or adoption, constituting a single household and interacting with each other in their respective social positions, usually those of spouses, parents, children, and siblings.” Is there anything better than a strong family bond? Not in my world. And, this group of three magnificent vintage busts by Marwal is a marvelous representation of a beautiful family unit. The turbaned father and scarf or hijab covered mother busts are marked Marwal molds composed of plaster while the mold of the boy is not marked and composed of a composite resin. All three have been intricately hand painted with wonderful realistic facial details and lovely colors including brown, beige, off-white, and rustic red. Their faces have docile, loving expressions with delicate peach lips that draw your attention, and eyes that seem to stare into your soul. They will be incredibly displayed anywhere in your home whether upon a credenza in the family room, in a beautiful display case among other wonderful sculptures and artwork, or on your coffee table in the living room among books and foliage. They are nothing short of incredible representations of a strong family bonded together with love, loyalty, and forever unified commitment. Isn’t that what we all long for??
Marwal Industries Inc. was founded in Brooklyn, NY, around the mid-1960s, by Romanian immigrant Marcel Walters. Walters used the first syllables of his first and last names, to name his company. He worked as a salesman in Brooklyn for a company that made statues and sculptures which inspired him to start his own company. Marwal produced chalkware sculptures and statues that were made with Hydrastone, a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum. Marwal products consisted of over 200 figurines, sculptures, and statues. The lines included those with traditional figures, museum reproductions, Oriental figures, bookends, Bali heads, animals, and modern sculptures. Marwal had both a permanent showroom in New York City and Dallas as well as independent representatives with showrooms in Kansas City, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Chicago selling their products. In addition, some retailers Marwal sold to include J. C. Penny, Montgomery Ward, and Sears. In the 70’s Marwal moved to Florida and began creating a line of painted plastic animals, some that were almost three feet tall. The company’s sales began to decline in the mid-70’s and they shut down in the mid-80’s.
Family is composed of unity, devotion, and unconditional love, and you certainly feel that in the presence of these marvelous Marwal sculptures. Don’t let all this love pass you by… Make them YOURS!!!
