Bronzes, ceramics & decorative work

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Crouching woman, also known as At the well 1930’s bronze 25H x 18W x 10D cm Murch Estate

Deco mermaid 1970’s fired slipcast earthenware 26.5H x 31W x 14D cm Murch Estate

Deco mermaid bronze 2019 26.5H x 31W x 14D cm Murch Estate

Small mermaid c1947 16 x 13 x 5 cm. Courtesy of Meg Stewart

Murch designed mermaid figures c1947 and produced a series of small ceramic versions approximately 16 x 13 x 5 cm. In the late 1970’s, Murch modelled a larger mermaid (approx 30 x 13 x 11 cm) and produced a series in cast plaster and also fired earthenware.
In the 1990’s a bronze version of the mermaid was cast.

Mermaid 1990’s bronze 30 x 13 x 11 cm

In 2016 and 2018 a series of glazed slip-cast earthenware mermaids were produced from a mould of the 1970’s sculpture.

Mermaid 2016 ceramic 30 x 13 x 11 cm

Mermaid study for ceramic bowl c1947 Murch Estate

Deco woman mask 1970’s cast resin

Deco woman mask 1970’s fired earthenware slip 32 x 21 x 17 cm

Deco woman mask 2020 glazed ceramic 32 x 21 x 17 cm

Nativity scene 1960’s painted plaster casts Christ Church St Laurence Railway Square Sydney

Maquette for Michael Elliot Trigg Memorial fountain 1967 bronze St Pauls’ College The University of Sydney

Pelican 2020 glazed ceramic cast from original 1970’s mould 37 x 27.5 x 13 cm

Dandy Lion 1970’s fired earthenware slip 35 x 18 x 11 cm

Lion fountain 1960’s cast cement Murch Estate

Mosaic tile coffee table. Arthur and daughter, Michelle made the tiles and mosaic as a present for Ria Murch c1958. Tiles were plaster with colours added and then arranged and glued. This photograph was taken in 1970’s.

Plaques 1960’s cast cement

Scratching cat 1970’s design, cast in bronze in 1980’s and 2020

During the 1940’s and 1950’s Murch made decorative small animals in bronze and glazed ceramic ware. The sisters Ethel and Janet Cotton, who lived in Newport, helped Murch glaze and fire the pieces in their pottery kiln. Always interested in design and motifs, Murch applied his sketches to dessert bowls, fabrics and pressed metal jewelry.