Code: 11298
An early 20thC Arts & Crafts exquisitely and finely carved small turkey in oak; by Nancy Catford; signed and dated for November 1932.
A great work of art, not just for Christmas!
Anna Edith Catford (Nancy as she was known) was born in 1905.
After experimenting with woodcarving, she was taught by the artist & craftsman, Stanley Parker (Barry's brother) in Letchworth.
She subsequently she attended the School of Woodcarving in South Kensington.
Later in the 1930's she went to Gray's Pottery and the following text (as is the last image of her business card) is from their website:
"In the 1930s she moved to the Staffordshire Potteries where she designed a range of pottery, including toby jugs for Enoch Wedgwood.
She also wrote and illustrated a series of six books for children.
Early in the war her Quaker background led her to join the Friends’ Relief Service which involved travelling to refugee camps in Hungary.
She then worked for the Nursery School Association, when she demonstrated and wrote about the making of simple toys.
In the 1950s she was a regular contributor of illustrated articles to the Daily Mail Annual.
In 1953 she married Jack Stone and worked with him on various projects, notably the renovation of Portsmouth Guildhall.
An active member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, she loved wildlife and throughout her life specialised in drawing and carving animals and birds"
The V&A Museum in London have an exampleof her carved work (skittles game from 1950)
She died in 1992.
Approx 6.5" overall height.
NB: The fine hairline crack to base does not affect the stability of the carving.
