Expert: Leisha Hiester - 3/26/2010

Question
Where would a person go to find out what a statue is made of? I do know it is old and it's a figure of a Japenese or Chinese guy, very heavy.

Answer
Tamara,
Do you have a photo of it? Also a photo of the bottom of it? I may be able to tell by the photos, if not, you could take it to a local ceramics shop and they can probably identify it for you. If it is chalky, it could be what is called chalkware, or it could be plaster. Let me know where you live and I'll try to find a ceramics shop for you.

Leisha