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 | |
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![]() Ursula Mommens at work, c. 1950 | |
Born | Ursula Frances Elinor Darwin (1908-08-20)20 August 1908 |
Died | 30 January 2010(2010-01-30) (aged 101) |
Nationality | English |
Education | Royal College of Art |
Known for | Pottery |
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.