Edouard-Marcel Sandoz trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1905 under the sculptor Antonin Mercié (1845–1916) and the painter Ferdinand Cormon. He worked in all mediums including bronze, stone, wood and ceramic. His bronzes are characterized by the use of geometric contrasts, a smooth surface finish and superb patination, influenced by the Art Deco movement. Sandoz is, however, best known for his extensive series of highly stylized porcelain tea and coffee services in the form of birds, animals and children (e.g. Paris, Mus. A. Déc.), first produced by Theodore Haviland in Limoges in 1916–17. From 1921 Sandoz modelled animals for the Porcelaine de Paris company, which exhibited his ‘Poisson-Chat’ vase and ‘Chat-Debout’ figures at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, held in Paris in 1925. Sandoz continued to work for Haviland & Cie, but also produced work for the Sèvres factory (e.g. ‘Apremont’ vase; Sèvres, Mus. N. Cér.), Richard-Ginori in Italy and Langenthal in Switzerland. The extreme stylization of his work and the mix of geometric and organic forms, together with a highly personal wit, place his sculpture firmly in the 20th century.