Norman Rockwell Prototype Pendant: "The Doctor and the Doll"
Norman Rockwell
Prototype Pendant of "The Doctor and the Doll"
Artist: Norman Rockwell
Title: Prototype Pendant of "The Doctor and the Doll"
Size: Paper measures 35" x 29". Image measures 28" x 22".
This is a rare prototype pendant of "The Doctor and the Doll" from the famed American artist Norman Rockwell.
The pendant is gold vermeil over bronze and measures 1-1/8" in diameter. It remains in mint condition.
It features the classic cover illustration from the March 9, 1929 edition of the Saturday Evening Post titled "The Doctor and the Doll."
The obverse reads: "Norman Rockwell, Saturday Evening Post, Licensed by Curtis Publishing."
This piece was created by Curtis Publishing as a prototype sample. It was never mass produced, making it exceptionally rare and collectible.
About the Artist
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was an American painter and illustrator widely celebrated for his depictions of everyday life in the United States. Over his six-decade career, his work became a visual record of 20th-century America, blending humor, warmth, and storytelling. Rockwell is most famous for his covers for the Saturday Evening Post, of which he created 323 illustrations from 1916 to 1963.
His art often portrayed ordinary moments with extraordinary clarity, capturing the values, dreams, and struggles of American society. Rockwell's works such as "The Four Freedoms," "Rosie the Riveter," and "The Problem We All Live With" continue to stand as cultural icons reflecting both American ideals and social realities.
Background on "The Doctor and the Doll"
Originally published as a cover illustration for the Saturday Evening Post on March 9, 1929, "The Doctor and the Doll" portrays a kindly physician examining a patient's toy doll in front of a young girl. The painting emphasizes themes of empathy, patience, and human connection - hallmarks of Rockwell's art.
The pendant version of this work is a unique adaptation. Produced as a prototype by Curtis Publishing, it captures the beloved imagery in a new medium. Because this pendant was never released as a mass-market item, it represents a piece of Rockwell history that few collectors will ever encounter in person.
