Not currently on display at the V&A

Figurine

1921 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This figurine of Robert Loraine (1876-1935) is one of several wax figurines executed by Agatha Walker in the 1920s, mostly of actors and actresses in character in successful London stage productions. The 19th century saw a craze for ceramic figurines of performers and Agatha Walker attempted to revive this tradition with her limited edition sculptures, modelled from life in plaster and coated with a fine layer of wax which was then coloured. In 1931 Agatha Walker's wax figures were exhibited at the Fine Art Society.

Robert Loraine was a successful stage actor for over 30 years and also a renowned aviator who made the first flight across the Irish Sea in 1910. He was a Royal Flying Corps fighter pilot in World War I and began acting after his distinguished military career. This shows him as Mirabel in The Way of The World which opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith on 7 February 1924, with Edith Evans as Millamant and elegant designs by Doris Zinkeisen. This was another success for Sir Nigel Playfair. He purchased the lease of the derelict Lyric Theatre in 1918 and transformed it into a highly successful venue, putting Hammersmith firmly on the theatrical map.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Moulded plaster, covered in wax and coloured
Brief description
Figurine of Robert Loraine (1876-1935) as Mirabell in The Way of The World, Lyric Hammersmith, 7 February 1924. Moulded plaster coated in wax and coloured, by Agatha Walker.
Physical description
Wax figurine of Robert Loraine as Mirabell in The Way of the World standing on a dark brown coloured integral base, with his right hand on his hip, and his left hand in his pocket. He wears an ochre/rust coloured three-quarter-length cutaway coat over a knee-length green jerkin, black knee breeches, green tights and black shoes with red heels and green bows. He has a white ruff at the neck, a black Cavalier-type hat and a long curled wig.
Dimensions
  • Approx height: 30.4cm
  • Of base width: 10.6cm
  • Of base depth: 9.3cm
  • Of base height: 3.0cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • '7' (Base incised with limited edition number)
  • 'Mirabell' (Incised on front edge of base)
  • 'Robert' (Incised on left edge of base)
  • 'Loraine' (Incised on right edge of base)
  • AW 1924 (Agatha Walker's monogram and date incised on back of base)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mrs Nora Rowntree Ison
Object history
The production of 'The Way of the World' by William Congreve in which Robert Loraine played Mirabell opened at the Lyric Theatre, 7 February 1924. The sculptress Agatha Walker also produced a limited edition figure of Millamant from the same production. (S.1312-1984).
Summary
This figurine of Robert Loraine (1876-1935) is one of several wax figurines executed by Agatha Walker in the 1920s, mostly of actors and actresses in character in successful London stage productions. The 19th century saw a craze for ceramic figurines of performers and Agatha Walker attempted to revive this tradition with her limited edition sculptures, modelled from life in plaster and coated with a fine layer of wax which was then coloured. In 1931 Agatha Walker's wax figures were exhibited at the Fine Art Society.

Robert Loraine was a successful stage actor for over 30 years and also a renowned aviator who made the first flight across the Irish Sea in 1910. He was a Royal Flying Corps fighter pilot in World War I and began acting after his distinguished military career. This shows him as Mirabel in The Way of The World which opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith on 7 February 1924, with Edith Evans as Millamant and elegant designs by Doris Zinkeisen. This was another success for Sir Nigel Playfair. He purchased the lease of the derelict Lyric Theatre in 1918 and transformed it into a highly successful venue, putting Hammersmith firmly on the theatrical map.
Bibliographic reference
Stage Personalities. The Portrait Statuettes of Agatha Walker The Studio, vol. 101 (1931)
Collection
Accession number
S.1313-1984

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Record createdNovember 22, 2005
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