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
Karen Fullen says
I love them all will take any color!!!!!!
Tracy Toepfer says
I’m in love with these…the black one in particular – it looks as elegant as my real kitty Po.
John says
I’m leaning toward aqua or orange. Though a difficult choice it is. Thanks for all the fantastic retro info.
Lisa newberg says
The orange cat is gorgeous
Ann Harris says
This cat figurine is GORGEOUS!!!!! I would choose the aqua cat if I could.
Ima Pam says
So mod! I love all the colors. So hard to choose!
Whitney Noel says
Would love to add the aqua kitty to my 50s Florida condo!
Judy Gauthier says
The orange cat would look so good in my kitchen where I am trying to bring back the MCM style it originally had. Thanks!
Lisa newberg says
I would love to have the blue cat
Savannah says
I love the aqua, I’ll put her in my aqua vintage kitchen!