Three of Louis Wain’s quirky and charming Lucky Mascots are coming up in the 20th Century Design Sale on 28th February, and here we take a closer look at an instantly recognisable artist yet complex artist.
Louis Wain (1860-1939), a shy and eccentric man, created an extraordinary and vivid world populated by anthropomorphic cats. One of the most recognisable artists of the Edwardian era, he helped change the perception of cats in the early 20th century and left and extraordinary artistic legacy.
Louis Wain (1860-1939) Three head studies of cats (sold for £2,200 plus buyer’s premium)
From childhood he saw the world differently, sometimes unable to separate the real world and his imaginary one and plagued by terrifyingly vivid dreams. He was a sickly child and difficult youth who eventually settled on a career in art, studying at the West London School of Art before going on to teach there. He aimed, however, for a career as a popular illustrator rather than as a serious artist, contributing to newspapers and journals. Wain’s artistic breakthrough came when he started producing whimsical cat illustrations - often dressed in human clothing, engaging in lively activities, and displaying expressive, almost mischievous personalities. These images quickly became immensely popular, disseminated through books, postcards and magazine covers.
Louis Wain (1860-1939) Head study of a laughing cat (sold for £850 plus buyer’s premium)
Later in life, Wain struggled with mental illness, and his time in psychiatric institutions became the source of much public sympathy. Indeed, neglected by his family he was rescued from a paupers asylum after public outcry and the intervention of the Government. Even during this period, he continued to draw, creating colourful, intricate images that reflected both his enduring creativity and shifting inner world. Louis Wain’s legacy endures today, celebrated for his contribution to popular art and his role in shaping modern affection for cats. His work remains widely admired for its charm, originality, and emotional depth.
LUCKY MASCOTS
Alongside his widely recognised cat pictures, Wain created a series of highly collectable ceramic Lucky Mascots with importer, retailer and entrepreneur Max Emanuel. Launched in 1914, the series of ceramic animal mascots were amongst his most original and striking creations, and certainly his most significant achievement in three dimensions. Some of the larger mascots were designed to be used a vases and small ones for spills.
Lucky Futurist Cat with his Meow Meow Notes (estimate: £1,000-1,500 plus buyer’s premium)
The mascots were Wain’s response to the avant-garde movement that was gaining traction pre-war, with the likes of the Italian Futurists and Picasso and Braque holding landmark exhibitions in London that Wain would have been familiar with. The squared-off shapes of the animals reflect Cubism, the colours Fauvism, and the attitude and robotic feel Futurism – all brought together by Wain’s eccentric imagination.
Whilst it is unknown if the mascots were purely instigated by Wain, or if they were commissioned by Emanuel, it is known that it was Emanuel who registered the designs at the Patent Office in 1914, before launching them from his premises in Holborn, London. Whilst Emanuel had his own factories in Bavaria and the mascots are all stamped ‘Made in England’, it is not clear exactly in which country they were manufactured.
The first ten models were registered in May 1914, which were all described as cats, although one decidedly resembled a newly popular teddy bear. A further nine were registered in June, comprising six cats, two pigs and a dog and the collection was launched by Emanuel with an invitation to ‘Bring your smile with you, for good luck awaits when you see us’.
The Lucky Black Cat (estimate: £1,000-1,500 plus buyer’s premium)
Some of the models were offered in variants, made using different moulds, and the larger mascots came in different colourways. Each mascot came with a lucky charm attached, a little printed paper motto that was easily removed and damaged and thus are exceedingly rare today. The models all carried their own lucky motto; for example, the Lucky Knight Errant Cat had the motto “I will fight your enemies for you and help you conquer your troubles in all that is right”.
Lucky Haw Haw Cat (estimate: £600-900 plus buyer’s premium)
Coming up for sale this February are three Lucky Mascots, which have sadly lost their paper mottos, Lucky Futurist Cat with his Meow Meow Notes originally with motto: “Bring your smile with you, for good luck awaits when you see me” (estimate: £1,000-1,500 plus buyer’s premium), The Lucky Black Cat originally with motto: “Hold on to me and fortune will smile on thee” (estimate: £1,000-1,500 plus buyer’s premium), and The Lucky Haw Haw Cat originally with motto: “Be like me and you will catch on” (estimate: £600-900).
