Carnivals of the past, specifically those taking place between 1910 and 1940, offered up prizes for winning a midway game. Carnival chalkware is an American term for the figurines made most often out of plaster of Paris (though some were made of gypsum) and painted bright colors using oils or watercolors. These were the prizes won at carnivals and fairs of this time period. Carnival chalkware came about during the Great Depression and is all about gaudy, tacky and fun. An entire carnival chalkware collection could be movie based, or animals, or personalities, or Disney characters. If both the front and back of a character is painted, it was probably made in the 1940s.

This is a vintage carnival chalkware Walt Disney Pluto from the 1940s. There are not a lot of these around that were hand painted. Often, they were spray painted without too much detail. Most hand painted pieces have almost no color left. The color comes off easily. NOTE that chalkware should not be cleaned, Ever. No water and no rubbing. Carnival chalkware should never be repainted or repaired. The wear is part of the charm.