My favorite kind of story: The renowned Bauer Pottery, which purchased and moved into another longtime ceramics factory, has discovered many old, original molds from now-defunct California ceramics companies among the stuff left behind. Now, they are beginning to reproduce some of these treasures. One of the first revived products: The Brayton-Laguna Pottery Cat — a statuesque mid century modern beauty that stands 16″ tall. I repeat, agog: Original tooling! Original mold! AND, I found out the name of the circa-1960 designer!
I predict this lovely feline will be a big hit — fantastic gift! — it makes quite the statement, the pricing is reasonable, and it has a fascinating provenance. Hey, the Guggenheim has even added this cool cat to their gift shop! Meow!
Many thanks to reader Katherine for this tip! Reader/tipsters, you rock my world!
Who designed this Brayton-Laguna Cat? Jack Chipman knows!
I did a little online research to learn more about Brayton-Laguna Pottery. I felt like this story from book author Jack Chipman was the most authoritative. Brayton-Laguna employed many artists to make their designs, and diving into the google rabbit hole, I could not find any info on exactly who designed this cubist cat. So I emailed the author of the story, Jack Chipman — who also is an expert on California pottery in the 20th Century and has an impressive number of books on the topic (affiliate link) — to see if he knew. And he responded right back! He wrote:
Hello Pam,
The designer of this cat (and a few other Brayton animals) was Letitia Ann Dowd.
I know little about her, but she was definitely ultra-modern in her ceramic design work.
Woot! Thank you, Jack!
Bauer Pottery says that the cat was introduced 1960. By that date, the Brayton-Laguna’s founders had died. So if the 1960 date is correct, this mid century modern cat was developed under newer leadership.
Update: Jack read this story and wrote back:
Pam,
….I believe this cat was issued a bit later than 1960.
Perhaps mid-1960’s…meaning a very short production.
Thanks again,
Jack
So there you go: A very short original production!
About Brayton-Laguna Pottery — a very historic ceramics company
Again, for more info about the history of Brayton-Laguna Pottery, I found California ceramics historian Jack Chipman’s article to be the go-to online primer.
The Brayton Laguna cat is available in five stock colors — white, black, orange, aqua, and pink — and Bauer is experimenting with even more. Which color is your favorite?
Link love:
- Get your own Brayton Laguna Cat — made from the original molds! — from Bauer Pottery
- Remember last year, when a Dishmaster supplier ‘discovered’ the original tooling for old Dishmaster faceplates, now available again.
- Acme Chrome Dinettes — made from decades-old tooling found hanging from the rafters
Kelli says
I have several gold cats in my den but would love the aqua or white. I love this website!!!
Pam Kueber says
Yes, that is the sister cat! Are you going to the estate sale? Get it! If it’s not too much, I’ll buy it from you and send to Bauer!
Leila L says
I would do that for you in a heartbeat, Pam, but I am working the first day of the sale and it will be snatched up in the first few minutes. Damn, this job gets in the way of everything I love. His prices are really good, so I guarantee it will be GONE GONE GONE- especially since I’ve not seen one like it before. 🙁
Mary Elizabeth says
I definitely want the black, as it matches my two tuxedo cats. One in particular has very little white and also has that elongated shape.
Evelyn Scott says
Now I am singing the song from Lady and the Tramp…. ” We are Siamese if you please”… because of these.
They are perfect- I want!
boocat says
The black rocks, but the aqua is great, too.
Beansie~ says
Stunning ! Can’t pick which one I love the best ! ?
Scott says
The orange is my favorite but they are all fantastic. And that’s coming from a dog person!
Bette Jean says
Beagle person here…but I love the aqua. Shout out to Arizona Tiki Oasis!
Pam Kueber says
Bette Jean! I just saw your lovely face yesterday when I started going through my photos! I went on to Palm Springs after AZTO, was back last Saturday night, and it’s taken me a complete week to recover and catch up. Now: On to processing stories out of 1,268 photos and that doesn’t include what I took on my iphone! It was a real highlight to see you!
Bette Jean says
Your talk was wonderful…very informative and polished. You must have had some time in MCM heaven Palm Springs…as if Hotel Valley Ho wasn’t enough of a treat! The whole weekend was a hoot! Great way to wrap up our vacation. Really enjoyed meeting you and love my morning coffee with RetroRenovation.
Mike Ball says
Hi Pam, I collect some California art mid century art pottery and Brayton Laguna made some of my favorite pieces which are modernist/abstract human forms in a beautiful black matte finish. Two of them show up in that Chipman article you linked and I believe one or two of them show up in the Chipman book.
carolyn says
I vote black – timeless color. The orange looks too much like a fox. Any other color than black loses its impact.
Ann R Wittneben says
Is there a way to post a picture of a pair of ceramic cats in a very similar style to find out if any one knows if they could be vintage Brayton Laguna Pottery Cats? Thank you.