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How to Identify a Tom Clark Gnome

World renown artist Dr. Tom Clark has been sculpting gnomes since 1978. While he specialized in sculpting busts and has created them for more than 40 years, he is best known for his small figurines, such as gnomes and other forest dwellers. Because Tom Clark is considered to be the most well-known sculptor in the United States, according to Cairn Studios, the studio for which he works as the lead artist, there are several ways to distinguish his creations from those of any other artist.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the top of the head of your gnome. Tom Clark gnomes often have hats other than traditional red or pointed ones. Some have no hats at all. The ones without hats may also be referred to as "woodspirits."
- 2
  Look at the expression on your gnome's face. Tom Clark puts so much detail into the facial expressions of his gnomes that they often display unique characteristics of human emotions, such as pensiveness or joy.
- 3
  View your gnome's pose. Tom Clark gnomes do not pose with their arms perfectly straight and at their sides like the typical, "straight-as-a-board" garden gnomes. Tom Clark accompanies the human-like facial expressions of his gnomes with poses that are equally as detailed. This may mean that your gnome is not in the "upright" position at all. For example, some Tom Clark gnomes are in the "squatting" position.
- 4
  Check to see if your gnome has a plaque attached to its feet or base. Cheap, store-bought gnomes are replicated in factories and are designed to stand on their own two feet for use as decorations. Tom Clark gnomes, however, have bodies that are similarly proportionate to human bodies and thus, cannot always support themselves well in any given position without a base attached to the part of the gnome that is intended to rest on the ground or other surface.
- 5
  Read the plaque or base. This is perhaps the simplest way to identify any gnome crafted by Tom Clark because his signature and the Cairn Studio trademark will be located on that base. In addition, the gnome's name, creation date, copyright date, item number and mold edition number should all be on the plaque to further ensure its authenticity.

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