Artists Lay Figure / Mannequin
Articulated anatomical model, wooden sculpture on stand • Anonymous commercial manufacture (likely produced in China for global art supply retail)
Style & Movement
Functional Art Tool / Utilitarian Modernism
Medium & Technique
Turned and polished hardwood (likely schima or beech) with metal screw-and-joint articulation and steel mounting rod
Creation Period
Late 20th to Early 21st Century (Modern Mass Production)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 inches (30 cm) overall height, vertical presentation on a circular base.
Subject Description
An idealized, faceless male human figure divided into various geometric, moveable segments to facilitate the study of human proportions, gesture, and light/shadow in drawing and painting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing minor signs of use through surface abrasions and loose joints common in functional tools.
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $15.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$2.00 - $10.00 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a commercial art supply retailer; currently situated in a thrift or resale environment.
Art Historical Significance
Low art historical significance as a unique work of art; high significance as a pedagogical tool. It descends from the 18th and 19th-century tradition of mahogany 'lay figures' used by masters to model drapery and anatomy without the cost of a live model.
Notable Features
Features a classic universal joint system at the neck, shoulders, and hips; mounted on a tiered circular wooden base via a central support rod.
Condition Issues
Visible surface scuffs on the wood finish; metal screws show slight wear; lack of original retail packaging.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a temperature-controlled environment to prevent wood splitting; occasionally tighten joint screws with a flat-head screwdriver.