Below, I have indicated the present known locations of Thomas’ work. There is a corresponding photograph of most of the ones mentioned here, in the Gallery. For some the photographs have yet to be added. This list of Thomas’ work, represents his life’s work from 1896-1948, demonstrating his skill as a Sculptor and Painter. However it is only a proportion of what he did.
As to the locations of some of the work, our records are far from complete and we would be delighted to be notified of the current whereabouts of any of the statues shown, should they be recognised. We can then update our records accordingly.
Britannia now resides in the World War 1 section of the National Remembrance Arboretum in Staffordshire. We are sure Thomas would approve! The family have the bronzed plaster model(See gallery) that Thomas used ahead of making the one in Bronze.
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds:The clay models used for many of Thomas’ statues, working diagrams and paintings were donated to the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, some years ago by one of his daughters. In 2009, the Henry Moore Institute held an Exhibition, called the Development Process of which Thomas’ work formed a major part. These included many of his paintings, and work completed whilst a student at the Royal College of Art in South Kensington. A good number of these were marked ‘Commended’. It was, we were told, the most well documented evidence that they had about how sculptors were trained towards the end of the nineteenth Century. It was a rigid 23 stage system, each student having to pass every stage, before they could proceed to the next.
St Mark’s, North Audley Street: We are uncertain as to how much of Thomas’ work remains in this Church. We are aware it closed some time ago, but would be very pleased to be updated on this.
St. Mary’s, Standishgate, Wigan: Thomas’ work remains intact.
Four War Memorials: Streetly, Caterham, Raynes Park and Felixstowe remain in position. The family have visited the one in Streetly in recent years.
Pieta: This was executed in plaster for St Katharine’s Church, Rotherhithe. We would like to know what has become of this Art work.
Council Chamber, School of Science and Technology, Manchester: Caryatid figures, relief panels for the ceiling and side ceiling panels. We would be pleased to receive any news on these.
Fountain figure: The original made in stone ware was for Dukinfield Park in
Manchester in 1904. We have no up to date information on this. The one pictured in the Gallery, is a replica that Thomas carved and is held by the family.
Bishop Casartelli: A bronze bust of Bishop Casartelli, formerly Bishop of Salford. Bishop Casartelli was a very good friend of Thomas’ especially during his years in Manchester, with a continuing friendship after his move to London. They were both learned men, with many interests and enjoyed their like-minded discussions. Thomas was a devout Catholic all his life, so would have had plenty in common. This bust was given to the Catenian Association, by Thomas’ wife, Winifred. It remains in their Head Office in Coventry. To the family’s dismay, a photograph of this bust appeared in a book published in 2006 entitled about the life and work of Bishop Casartelli, but sadly there was no acknowledgement of the Sculptor.
New Malden Library, Kingston Road, Surrey: As far as we aware, Thomas’ work remains in situ. If possible, we would like this confirmed.
“Youth”: A marble life-size statue, sometimes entitled “Mysteries” too, was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1914. It is now in the Augusta Stylianou Gallery in Limassol, Cyprus.
Tidal Wave: A life-size figure in marble exhibited in the Royal Academy 1912. The family retain the one in plaster; the working model for the one in marble. We would dearly like to know where the marble figure is now.
“The Lilies”: A reclining life-size marble figure, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1914 with “Youth”. It was also shown at the McLennan Gallery in Glasgow, as noted in the Aberdeen Journal 1st October 1920 and again in 1928 at the International Exhibition of Garden design in Westminster. We have no idea where this statue is now.
Eurydice, Roses, Spring, Belgium and Ricochet: These were all life-size figures which were shown in the Royal Academy. They have remained in the ownership of the family.
Sir Thomas Picton: A life-size marble figure, which was originally shown in the Royal Academy before being displayed in Cardiff City Hall where it remains today.
Prayer: This was the first of many pieces of Thomas’ work to be exhibited at the Royal Academy. It is a half life-size kneeling figure in marble. This remains in the possession of the family as does the corresponding plaster one. However, we would welcome the opportunity for a permanent, suitable home for the marble figure.
Vision of Chateuneuf: A full life-size figure of St Anthony with the Christ child, executed in marble. This was displayed in the Royal Academy before moving to its permanent home in St Mary’s Church, Wigan. Thomas also carved in marble, a half-life size figure of St Anthony; this statue currently remains with the family.
A kneeling life-size figure, in plaster, is beautifully exhibited in the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Sorrows and St Bridget of Sweden, Twickenham Road, Isleworth.
St. Therese of Lisieux: A full life size statue in plaster of St Therese 1927. This was another Royal Academy exhibit. It resides at the Gatehouse, The Friars, Aylesford, Kent.
Coat of Arms for Head Office of Bank in Sydney, Australia: Thomas was asked to make a coat of Arms for the Head Office of the Bank which at the time, was located at 341, George Street, Sydney. This was done in bronze and enamel, then crated and shipped to Australia. Any news on the whereabouts
of this would be gratefully received.
Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool: Described by Mr Rowland Hill, the Art Curator, “the head of a young girl in white marble”, this bust was the first sculpture purchase by the Art Gallery. According to a newspaper clipping of the day, ‘…This is Mewburn Crook’s gravely beautiful “Head of a Girl” which was warmly praised by critics at this year’s Royal Academy…’. We would welcome any up to date news about this bust.
Bust of Dinah Crook: A life-size bust of the Artist’s mother in marble c.1907. The location is unknown. An identical bronzed plaster bust remains in the family.
Dawn: A 2ft 6” figure of a young lady in marble, 1909. It was displayed at the Royal Academy. The whereabouts of this one is unknown. Two identical ones, both in bronze are in the possession of the family.
First Communicant: A life-size marble bust of a child 1910. This is at Marymount Convent, Tarrytown, New York. Identical Bronze and plaster busts remain with the family.
Anna Airey: A marble life-size bust of Anna Airey 1928. Anna was one of the first women to be officially commissioned in the First World War. The location of this bust is unknown.
Macbeth Raeburn: A portrait bust in plaster of the Artist Henry Macbeth Raeburn. In the possession of the family.
Miss Blomfield: A marble life-size commemorative bust of Miss Blomfield, the daughter of Mr Arthur Blomfield, the Architect of St Mark’s, North Audley Street. She had died prematurely after falling off her horse. She is depicted wearing the Poinsettia headdress she wore shortly before she died. Mrs Blomfield wrote to Thomas about it saying “It grows hourly more like her and more beautiful”. As far as we are aware, it remains in the Blomfield family.
Alessandra Roses: A life-size marble bust 1926. It remains with the family.
Artist’s daughter and Lady with plaited hair: The former was done in 1934 in marble and bronze of Cecilia, one of Thomas daughters; the latter was in bronzed plaster. Both remain with the family.
John Shields: A life-size portrait bust of John Shields(1907), the Painting Master at Manchester School of Art and a good friend of Thomas. It is in bronzed plaster and remains with the family.
Cupid: Bronze figure 1922, approx. 7” tall. Two identical ones in plaster. All are in the possession of the family.
Edmund Burke: A one third scale model of Foley’s statue of Burke in St Stephen’s Hall, Westminster, 1940. Within the family.
Pope Pius XII: A life-size plaster bust of Pope Pius XII. In the possession of the Carmelites of the New York Province.
HRH King George VI: Life-size bust in bronzed plaster 1939. In possession of HRH The Prince of Wales.
Relief panels: Relief panels in plaster exist, one of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in the possession of the RSHM, Upminster, Essex, an identical is held by the family and one of St Cecilia, also held by the family.