Artwork Page for Nautch Dancer

Details / Information for Nautch Dancer

Nautch Dancer

c. 1930
sculptor

Waylande Gregory

(American, 1905–1971)
maker

Cowan Pottery Studio

(America, Rocky River, Ohio, 1920–1931)
Culture
America, Ohio, Cleveland
Medium
ceramic
Measurements
Overall: 44.2 x 21.3 x 12.1 cm (17 3/8 x 8 3/8 x 4 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1930.118
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Gregory sculpted human and animal figures in eclectic styles ranging from realistic to highly stylized, as seen in this ceramic sculpture. It depicts Gilda Gray, a dancer notorious for her “bodyshaking . . . wicked torso movements” performed to jazz or blues music. In the 1925 Ziegfield Follies, Gray added exotic South Seas dances to her repertoire, including the “nautch dance,” named after the nautch—a traditional, East Indian, form-fitting, pleated dress—she wore during the performance. Although Gray refused the sculptor’s request for a personal modeling session, she did provide him with an onstage seat in the wings, from which he carefully studied her movements during several performances in Cleveland.

Nautch Dancer

c. 1930

Waylande Gregory, Cowan Pottery Studio

(American, 1905–1971), (America, Rocky River, Ohio, 1920–1931)
America, Ohio, Cleveland

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