Presenting the Tom Clark “MOSES” gnome figurine, a 1989 Edition #81 creation from the world-famous Cairn Studios of Davidson, North Carolina. This highly detailed sculpture by Dr. Thomas F. Clark, America’s best-known gnome artist, beautifully merges faith and folklore through a gentle, storytelling style.
“Moses” stands as a symbolic and contemplative figure — a gnome version of the biblical Moses — shown holding a small tablet resembling the Ten Commandments, representing wisdom, guidance, and divine leadership. True to Tom Clark’s artistry, the sculpture is rich with earthy tones, intricate wood and rock textures, and natural motifs symbolic of renewal and spirituality.
Each of Clark’s creations tells a story, and “Moses” carries a message of faith, perseverance, and moral strength, making it a meaningful piece for collectors of both gnome art and religious-themed sculptures.
This figurine comes hand-signed by Dr. Tom Clark and includes the original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from Cairn Studios.
Title: “MOSES”
Artist: Dr. Thomas F. Clark
Studio: Cairn Studios, Davidson, NC
Edition: #81 (1989)
Hand-Signed: Yes, signed by artist
Includes Original COA: Yes
Material: Cast resin, hand-painted
Theme: Religious / Biblical / Church / Faith-Inspired
Finish: Natural hand-painted patina with rich earthy tones
Height: ~7 inches
Width: ~5 inches
Depth: ~4 inches
A display-perfect size — suitable for mantel, curio cabinet, or devotional art display.
Excellent pre-owned condition.
No chips, cracks, or repairs observed.
Paint colors remain vivid and warm.
Includes original COA verifying authenticity.
Displayed in a clean, smoke-free collector’s environment.
“Moses” is a notable edition in Tom Clark’s spiritually inspired figurine series, blending biblical symbolism with the storytelling charm of his beloved gnome world. Produced during one of Cairn Studios’ most creative decades, this edition reflects Clark’s deep appreciation for heritage, humor, and faith.
Because religious-themed gnomes were produced in smaller numbers than his classic character figures, “Moses” is considered a harder-to-find collectible, particularly complete with its COA and in excellent condition.
Each Cairn Studios piece was individually hand-cast and painted, ensuring subtle variations and character unique to every sculpture.
Devout collectors of Tom Clark or Cairn Studios works
Fans of religious, spiritual, or inspirational art
Church or faith-based decorative displays
Meaningful gifts for collectors or clergy
Tom Clark “MOSES” – 1989 Edition #81
Cairn Studios | Religious / Church Theme | Hand-Signed | With COA
➡️ An inspiring and rare Tom Clark gnome celebrating faith and wisdom.
Tom (Thomas F.) Clark is the American sculptor best known for the small, highly collectible gnome/woodspirit figurines produced from the late 1970s through the early 21st century. His pieces are beloved for their warm, whimsical faces, rich narrative detail, and strong nature-and-folk-art sensibility.
Genesis (1978): Clark began making the little gnome/woodspirit figures in 1978, inspired by the popular illustrated book Gnomes by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet. He called many of his creations ?Woodspirits.?
Main production period: The core period of creation and commercial production runs from the late 1970s and through the 1980s and 1990s. Many of the well-known models were designed and first produced in the 1980s. Clark continued designing and producing pieces (with new lines and limited editions) into the 2000s; most sources indicate the line was effectively retired by about 2011.
Public profile / legacy: Clark was also a longtime professor (Davidson College) whose second career as an artist gained worldwide collector interest. He died in 2022; his work continues to be collected and traded.
Material: Many Tom Clark pieces were cast in a pecan-shell resin (a proprietary/compound casting medium often described in collectors? references) that allowed fine detail and a carved-wood look. After casting they were hand-finished and hand-painted.
Finishes / size: Typical pieces are small (a few inches tall up to about a foot for larger sculptures), hand-painted with earthy palettes and textured bases (leaves, mushrooms, stones, etc.). Many pieces were produced in multiple numbered editions or production runs.
Style: Gentle, expressive faces (often smiling or thoughtful), lots of small costume and prop details (tools, mushrooms, instruments, animals), and a storytelling pose ? the figures feel like characters with lives and professions. The aesthetic leans folk-art + storybook illustration.
Signatures & markings: Individual pieces are frequently signed by Tom Clark (or marked with model numbers/edition codes and year). Collectors rely on base markings, signatures, edition numbers and provenance (catalogs, original boxes, or seller photos) to confirm authenticity. (You can see examples of signed pieces and dates on market listings.)
Clark produced many named characters and small series (some were tributes or pop-culture nods ? e.g., a Henson-themed piece), occasional limited editions, seasonal designs, and later ?Green Thumb? garden/plant series for indoor/outdoor use. Over the years forms were occasionally re-sculpted, repainted, or released in slightly different editions.
Collectibility: Tom Clark pieces were extremely popular in the 1980s?2000s; the secondary market (eBay, Etsy, collectors? sites) remains active. Values depend on model rarity, edition, condition, and whether items are signed or boxed. A number of pieces are marked ?retired,? which increases collector interest for specific models.
How to authenticate: look for a clear Tom Clark signature or incised/printed model/edition marks on the base, consistent material/paint wear for age, and supportive provenance (older catalogues, photos, or reputable sellers). Auction and listing photos are useful comparisons.
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Tom Clark?s production technique blended traditional sculpting methods with modern resin casting, allowing him to mass-produce detailed sculptures while keeping an artisanal, hand-finished feel. Here?s a step-by-step breakdown of how his figures were typically made at Cairn Studio:
Tom Clark sculpted the prototype in clay or a similar medium.
He was known for adding intricate details ? facial expressions, mushrooms, leaves, and personal ?stories? for each character.
The prototype was the ?master? from which molds would be made.
From the original clay sculpture, flexible rubber molds (sometimes with plaster jackets for support) were created.
These molds captured fine details so they could be reproduced consistently.
Cairn Studio used a proprietary polyresin mixed with ground pecan shells.
The pecan shell gave the pieces a wood-like texture and warm brown undertone.
This material was poured into the molds and left to cure until solid.
Once hardened, the casting was removed from the mold.
Excess resin, seam lines, or bubbles were trimmed and smoothed by hand.
Each sculpture was hand-painted by studio artisans using earthy acrylics.
No two were painted exactly alike, giving subtle variations (skin tones, clothing highlights, base details).
This step is why collectors still describe them as ?handmade.?
Many pieces were hand-signed by Tom Clark himself, often on the base.
Some were also numbered as part of limited runs or series.
Later production runs sometimes had facsimile signatures molded in rather than hand-signed.
The finished sculptures were sealed and boxed with certificates or descriptive cards.
Cairn Studio distributed them worldwide, especially through gift shops and collector networks during the 1980s?1990s boom.
Small-batch production:
Sculptures were made in relatively low numbers at first.
Direct involvement:
Tom Clark personally sculpted, signed, and sometimes even hand-finished early pieces.
Materials:
The pecan-shell resin formula was already in use, but painting was more artisanal and varied.
Signatures:
Almost all early pieces were hand-signed in marker or ink by Tom Clark himself. Some also had inscriptions or dedications.
Collector impact:
These early works are more valuable today because they show greater artist involvement and were produced in smaller quantities.
High demand:
The gnome figurines became extremely popular, and Cairn Studio ramped up output.
Consistent molds:
Molds were reused extensively, but hand-painting still kept pieces from looking identical.
Studio team:
A staff of artisans did most of the casting and painting, while Clark focused on sculpting new designs and signing completed figures.
Signatures:
Many were still hand-signed by Clark, but with production numbers rising, some had molded-in facsimile signatures.
Collector impact:
These are the most common pieces on the secondary market today ? charming, but less rare.
Market slowdown:
By the 2000s, interest in collectible figurines was declining. Cairn Studio reduced output.
Mass-production signs:
More pieces had cast-in signatures instead of hand-signed bases.
Consistency:
Painting and finishing remained hand-done, but often more uniform than in the 1980s.
End of line:
Cairn Studio eventually closed its doors, and Tom Clark retired from active production.