A Rare Carved Wood Plaque By Phyllis 'Pog' Yglesias Circa. 1925

A Rare Carved Wood Plaque by Phyllis 'Pog' Yglesias (1893-1977), Circa 1925. Inscribed to the reverse as 'The Deserted Sheath' by P. Yglesias, Mousehole Studio. This beautifully stylized carved wood plaque showcases various exotic timbers on a rosewood backdrop. The piece is carved in an Art Deco style, which drew inspiration from ancient Egyptian and Aztec arts.

Phyllis 'Pog' Yglesias was a skilled and talented artist and wood carver whose life was intricately interwoven with art and creativity. Pog's lineage can be traced back to her Spanish grandfather, Miguel Joaquin Yglesias, a wine merchant who married an English woman, Sarah Elizabeth Evans, in London in 1837. The fusion of Spanish and English ancestry enriched Phyllis's identity, influencing her artistic sensibilities and passion for creation. Her father, Vincent Philip Yglesias, a landscape painter associated with the Walberswick art colony, nurtured her deep love for art and nature.

Following their father's passing, Phyllis, along with her two sisters, brother, and artist mother Edith, relocated from north London to Cornwall in 1912. Settling in Lamorna, Phyllis, affectionately known as Pog, was already a dedicated London art student focusing on sculpture.

In collaboration with the esteemed artist Lamorna Birch and his family, Phyllis and her sisters operated a gift shop at the entrance of Flagstaff Cottage driveway, offering an array of items such as toys and small paintings. Their close ties with the Birches underscored their involvement in the vibrant artistic community, which also included prominent figures like Laura and Harold Knight, Dod Procter, and Alfred Munnings.

Phyllis's enduring legacy extended beyond her artistry into a profound commitment to wildlife conservation. In 1928, she established the Mousehole Wild Seabird Hospital with her sister Dorothy, a testament to her dedication to the preservation of nature which is still in existence to this day. 

The third last photo, courtesy of Penlee House and Museum, is a portrait by Harold Knight, depicting Phyllis's wiry, strong physique, despite her feather-light weight. 

The second last photo showcases Phyllis's remarkable life-size crucifix carving, which is displayed at St. Hilary's Church in Cornwall.

The last photo, courtesy of The Tate Images, features a snapshot from the summer of 1921/22 at Sennen Cove, Cornwall, showing from left to right, Harold Knight, Laura Knight, and Phyllis