Figurine
1925 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figurine of Marie Ney (1895-1981) is one of several wax figurines executed by Agatha Walker in the 1920s, mostly of actors and actresses in character in successful London 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 wax layer which was then coloured. In 1931 Agatha Walker's wax figures were exhibited at the Fine Art Society.
This represents Marie Ney as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops To Conquer which opened at the Old Vic Theatre on 26 December 1924. Marie Ney was born in London but made her first professional stage appearance in Australia in 1916 and in Britain in 1923 at Brixton Theatre. In 1924 she was engaged at the Old Vic for a season of plays, playing several Shakespearean heroines including Desdemona, Ophelia and Viola. She became one of Britain's best-known leading ladies and played a wide variety of roles on stage and in films up until the 1960s.
This represents Marie Ney as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops To Conquer which opened at the Old Vic Theatre on 26 December 1924. Marie Ney was born in London but made her first professional stage appearance in Australia in 1916 and in Britain in 1923 at Brixton Theatre. In 1924 she was engaged at the Old Vic for a season of plays, playing several Shakespearean heroines including Desdemona, Ophelia and Viola. She became one of Britain's best-known leading ladies and played a wide variety of roles on stage and in films up until the 1960s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Moulded plaster, covered in wax and coloured |
| Brief description | Figurine of Marie Ney (1895-1981) as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops To Conquer, Old Vic Theatre, 26 December 1924. Moulded plaster coated in wax and coloured, by Agatha Walker. |
| Physical description | Wax figurine of Marie Ney as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer. She wears a cream mop-cap, a pink dress with elbow length sleeves, square-cut neckline, black apron and green shoes. She looks to her right and stands on an integral dark tan base, incised with details. |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This figurine of Marie Ney (1895-1981) is one of several wax figurines executed by Agatha Walker in the 1920s, mostly of actors and actresses in character in successful London 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 wax layer which was then coloured. In 1931 Agatha Walker's wax figures were exhibited at the Fine Art Society. This represents Marie Ney as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops To Conquer which opened at the Old Vic Theatre on 26 December 1924. Marie Ney was born in London but made her first professional stage appearance in Australia in 1916 and in Britain in 1923 at Brixton Theatre. In 1924 she was engaged at the Old Vic for a season of plays, playing several Shakespearean heroines including Desdemona, Ophelia and Viola. She became one of Britain's best-known leading ladies and played a wide variety of roles on stage and in films up until the 1960s. |
| Bibliographic reference | Stage Personalities. The Portrait Statuettes of Agatha Walker The Studio, vol. 101 (1931) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.343-1981 |
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| Record created | November 22, 2005 |
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