Mortuary Model maker

[Chris Scott]

While searching for something else I came across the following entry in the 1881 census:
Address: 148 Cloudesly Road, Finsbury, Islington
Name: Samuel Chalk
Age: 43
Born: Isle of Wight
Trade: Mortuary Model Maker and Plasterer (Image)

Does any one have an idea what this would have involved? Would this involve the making of models of parts of the body (bearing wounds etc) or death masks etc?
Any info welcome
In 1871 Chalk is listed as an "architectural modeller"
In 1891 Chalk is listed at the same address but his trade is listed as "Moulder in clay"
In 1901, "modeller in clay and plaster"
Image of the relevant part below
Many thanks
Chris

[Monty]

Hey Chris,

A 'model' is a set of plans for a building.

I would suspect, seeing as Mr Chalk is also architectural modeller as well as a plasterer, he also made plans for mortuarys.


Cheers,

Monty

[Chris Scott]

Hi Monty
many thanks for the prompt reply and the very useful info
Regards
Chris

[Dark Ali]

http://thegallopingskirt.blogspot.com/2007/11/linconnue-de-la-seine.html

Found the above link Chris to a blog about French mortuary practices, hope it's helpful.

[aspallek]

^^^ Thanks for that interesting piece of history, Dark Ali. I would guess this was the occupation of Chalk. Victorians were known for their opulence in funerary practices. Jabez Druitt, for example, made a fine living at crafting funerary sculpture. It's my guess that people like Chalk made plaster casts and models of the dead to be used as guides for sculptors like Druitt in producing funeral monument effigies.

[Monty]

Echoing Andys post Ali,

Quite moving.

Monty