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
Linda says
Beautiful glaze finish and ALL of the colors are great!
Bruce says
They’re giving me “cat scratch fever” but I’m “feline groovy”. I’d spray the pink one but any other color is purrfect.
Peggy says
Love to win any one of the Brayton Laguna Pottery Cats! Choose a color for me, I would be happy with any one!
Gus says
?… That’s a tough decision. The color would depend on which room the cat would reside in. Forced to choose one I would say that cool shade of pink, with aqua a close second because we live on the river in a floating home. Thank you for your awesome newsletter and it’s resources.
michael daniels says
i love these cats. hoping i win an aqua onefor my mom )
Maria St.Clair says
The orange would be purr-fect in my home!
Cheryl Sweppy says
I love these cats! My favorite color is orange, but a black one would remind me of my sweet, sleek black boy who died in September. The aqua would match my vintage bathroom. So many choices!
ANGELA QUINTY says
So gorgeous ??? One in each color, please!?
Catharine Rademacher says
My 3rd entry. I SO love these cats! And your page. I get tips every time I read. Thank you!!
Tina Bisson says
I would LOVE the aqua or orange. Or black. I can’t decide!