The Anton Reiche Rocking Chalkware Santa

The Artistry

Standing approximately 3 3/4 inches tall, the S413 is one of the most unique and sought-after forms in our collection. This Rocking Santa is cast from a rare antique Anton Reiche chocolate mold—widely considered the gold standard for 19th-century German mold-making. The "rocker" base is a delightful rarity in chalkware, giving the piece a sense of whimsy grounded in historical authenticity.

The Design

Rooted in the Early American Folk Art tradition, this Santa was born from an era when the artist lived in a historic Massachusetts farmhouse surrounded by the "Old World" feel of New England antiques. The painting is intentionally aged to mimic the patina of an 18th-century heirloom, with a muted palette that emphasizes the crisp, structural lines of the Reiche mold. To add a festive glint, Diamond Frost glass glitter is applied to the beard and base, catching the light like a winter morning in Old New England.

Of Special Note:
Because of its rare rocking form and the prestige of the Anton Reiche name, this Santa has historically been a favorite among collectors of American folk art. It represents a bridge between the German chocolate mold tradition and the colonial American aesthetic. Each piece is individually cast in chalkware, hand-painted, signed, numbered, and dated by Kathryn Campbell.