Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891-1915)

The original marble Duck is in the collection of Kettle's Yard, Cambridge, having previously been part of Sophie Brzeska's estate. The present bronze cast is one of an edition of twelve bronzes cast by Fiorini from the marble. Roger Cole (loc. cit.) notes that this 'small semi-abstract work is one of a number of small toys carved by Gaudier out of small pieces of stone for his friends'. Evelyn Silber suggests that 'The Oriental tradition of small but exquisitely carved functional and decorative objects probably had more impact on the small 1914 pieces such as Small Fawn, Duck, and Brass Toy which redefine sculpture as something to be carried, handled and used' (op. cit., p. 130).

Bronze casts from this edition are in the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Paris; Tate, London; and Kettle's Yard, Cambridge.