Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891-1915)

From autumn 1913 to spring 1914 Gaudier-Brzeska sold sculptures through, and undertook sporadic decorative projects with, Omega Workshops though he was never a regular presence at their Fitzroy Square premises. He undertook a few designs for trays, furniture and ceramics but this is the only known ceramic piece by him to have been produced. At this time Omega ceramics were made by George Schenk of Mitcham; this piece was press-moulded with the details of eyes and claws added by hand. The original model was probably in hardened clay. Around eight copies in a range of colours are now known, including two in the collection of the Contemporary Art Society, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (fig. 1). There are related drawings at Musée des Beaux Arts in Orléans and Kettle's Yard in Cambridge.

Gaudier made numerous life drawings of cats, both domestic and wild, and owned a cat given him by Spencer Gore.

We are very grateful to Dr Evelyn Silber for preparing this catalogue entry.