Ursula Frances Elinor Mommens (née Darwin, formerly Trevelyan; 20 August 1908 – 30 January 2010)[1][2] was an English potter. Mommens studied at the Royal College of Art, under William Staite Murray, and later worked with Michael Cardew at Winchcombe Pottery and Wenford Bridge Pottery.[3]

Ursula Mommens
Ursula Mommens at work, c. 1950
Born
Ursula Frances Elinor Darwin

(1908-08-20)20 August 1908
Died30 January 2010(2010-01-30) (aged 101)
NationalityEnglish
EducationRoyal College of Art
Known forPottery
Spouse(s)Julian Trevelyan
Norman Mommens

She was the daughter of Bernard Darwin and his wife the engraver Elinor Monsell. Her brother was Sir Robert Vere Darwin. She was the great-granddaughter of Charles Darwin and the great-great-granddaughter of the potter Josiah Wedgwood.[4]

She married first Julian Trevelyan; their son is the film-maker Philip Trevelyan. Her second husband was Norman Mommens.

Mommens lived and worked in South Heighton, East Sussex,[1] making both wood and gas-fired functional stoneware using a clay body she developed herself with ash glazes.[5] She lived to the age of 101.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ursula Mommens". The Ceramic Artist. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  2. ^ Whiting, David (3 February 2010). "Ursula Mommens obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  3. ^ "Ursula Mommens". The Pottery Studio. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  4. ^ Rastall, John. "Ursula Mommens – Potter". Harlequin Gallery. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  5. ^ Besson, Anita. "The Jug Show Artists". Galerie Besson. Retrieved 18 October 2019.