1970s Waylande Gregory “Reclining Nude” Textured Porcelain Sculpture for Museum Pieces, Inc. (m.p.i.)

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Waylande Gregory’s celebrated Reclining Nude. This highly sculptural textured porcelain figure embodies the artist’s signature blend of Art Deco elegance … Read more Waylande Gregory’s celebrated Reclining Nude. This highly sculptural textured porcelain figure embodies the artist’s signature blend of Art Deco elegance and Modernist abstraction. Produced by Museum Pieces, Inc. (MPI) from Gregory’s original design, this substantial sculpture faithfully captures the flowing forms and timeless sculptural language that established Gregory as one of America’s most influential ceramic artists.

Founded to preserve and reproduce important works of decorative and fine art, Museum Pieces, Inc. (MPI) was known for producing museum-quality editions from original artist designs and historic models. Their exceptional craftsmanship and fidelity to the original works have made MPI editions collectible in their own right, particularly when representing iconic twentieth-century artists such as Waylande Gregory.

Executed in beautifully textured matte porcelain with a bisque finish, the reclining female is modeled with remarkable fluidity and grace. Gentle curves, simplified anatomy, and an architectural sense of mass give the sculpture a quiet yet commanding presence from every angle. Measuring 15” H x 12” W x 8” D and weighing an impressive 20 pounds, it possesses a substantial heft that reflects the quality of its porcelain construction and makes it an exceptional display piece for a pedestal, console, cocktail table, or library.

The underside bears the incised “W. Gregory” signature along with the Museum Pieces, Inc. (MPI) copyright mark. This example was acquired in the Detroit metropolitan area, a fitting provenance given Gregory’s important connection to nearby Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he established its pioneering ceramics department and helped shape the future of American studio ceramics.

Widely regarded as one of the twentieth century’s most innovative ceramic sculptors, Waylande Gregory (1905–1971) transformed the possibilities of porcelain through groundbreaking firing techniques that allowed him to create monumental ceramic sculpture on an unprecedented scale. His work bridged Art Deco, Modernism, and American Studio Craft, earning international acclaim through museum exhibitions, important architectural commissions, and landmark works such as the Fountain of the Atom created for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Today, Gregory’s work is represented in major museum collections and remains highly sought after by collectors of American ceramics and Modernist sculpture.

An exceptional opportunity to acquire one of Gregory’s most elegant figural designs in a faithfully executed Museum Pieces, Inc. edition. See less