Posted 6 years ago
EAPGDepres…
(69 items)
I really love these cats. They measure in at 29". from my research I and also opinions of several others I have concluded that these are Deruta Ital cats. My persistence paid off. Per the suggestion of a fellow memeber, I soaked my cats in gentle soap and the plaster came off. Italy!
Here's one that's also on CW and it is marked Italy, so that part is right! :^D
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/130169-ceramic-cat-from-italy
It was posted 5 years ago, with no other information! I hope it helps! :^)
I like mine better, ;) That blue and yellow contrast is really nice.
The colors on mine seem kind of French and have a mid-century vibe. Maybe I should investigate french ceramic cats.
Porcelain. Long neck cat, mine was from Italy. I don't remember what the process in making them is exactly. I just remember that it takes a long time to make one. They paint it and fire it many times before finished.
So the people on my facebook pottery identification group have concluded Deruta Italy pottery cats. I am pretty happy with this after doing an extensive search. to the person who claimed everything signed Italy. These probably were signed underneath the felt but whatever glue they used eroded the bottom glazed and pulled it off. Also, the colors and painting seem consistent. So mystery solved!
Even tho you have solved your question, I do not believe glue would erode glaze. My thought is that after your pulled the felt off, it appears there is a layer of something besides glaze on the bottom. It looks suspiciously like plaster of Paris. Someone may have put plaster on the bottom to make it sit evenly and then put felt on top of the plaster to prevent scratches on furniture.
If you soaked the felt fuzz off, you might also soak off plaster which will soften when wet. Then you would be right down to the glaze and maybe you will find the provenance hidden there.
Wow. You guys are so amazingly helpful. I will have a look later. Super excited to find out!
Thank you once again Watchsearcher. You have increased the aesthetic value of these cats exponentially. I thought it had areas of painted over damage and color loss but it was actually just whatever person decided to slap plaster on the bottom. He made it a real messy job. I was able to remove the plaster and the glaze indeed was intact. The cats need an overnight bath though for the bottom. It's still a bit hard to remove.
Look at the new pic. ITALY!
Persistence pays. ;)
I am so glad to be able to help solve the puzzle. Someone probably didn't even consider they would be hiding some important info when they plastered the bottom.
Well you helped me in another way too. I am about to reveal the maker of my Art Nouveau vase. I was sitting there thinking about it and I said what if I'm just not looking hard enough. So I went and looked all through the pattern on the vase and when the light hit it just right a signature was revealed.
I’m looking forward to that post!