Antique Crandall's District School Set (Without Bases, But Fabulous) metal case studied at the Art Students

studied at the Art Students League in NYC under Thomas Hart Benton among others

and are interchangeable)

known for using riverine shell as a tempering agent in making the clay paste for pottery

which are woven into the sides of the basket

it just needs to be re-secured

Antique Crandall's District School Set (Without Bases, But Fabulous) metal case studied at the Art StudentsI first saw a set of these a year of so ago at New Hampshire Antiques Week and have had an eye out ever since. The set, titled "District School" was created by Charles M. Crandall, a 19th century toy maker and inventor who worked in Pennsylvania and New York. Originally housed in a wooden box with paper label, the complete set included slatted bases that functioned as stands for the figures, both standing and seated. Those are missing from this one,