Let's Talk About Pottery & Collectables
Pottery => British & Irish => Topic started by: cstein on March 17, 2008, 12:31:53 PM
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I recently inherited a Plichta Cat. She is white with blue polka dots and green glass eyes. The makers mark is "Plichta, London, England.
I have found many Plichta animals on the Net, but not one polka dotted cat. Some of the prices for Plichta animals are unreal. For example a $64K Plichta pig.
I am starting to wonder if I might have an important piece on my hands. I am looking for opinions on my cat. Please call or write and I will be happy to send you pictures.
I look forward to hearing from anyone!
Thanks, Cathy
(Mod: Email/tel removed, please use personal messages or board emails instead as there are a lot of spammers around)
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Hi Welcome to the board, we would love to see pictures of your cat, including the marks, to see if we can help. There are easy to follow instructions on posting pictures on the left-hand side
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Hi and welcome to the board :gcheer: we have discussed Plitcha before see this thread
http://www.yobunny.com/pottery/index.php?topic=3150.0
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Hi, anything like these?
http://www.antiques-scotland.co.uk/sothebys/sothebys_glen2003/soth_glen03_wemyss.htm
http://www.wemyssware.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=33
I'm not sure if these are Wemyss marked as Plichta or Wemyss marked as Wemyss (early or later production).
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Hi Cathy, welcome to the board. Pics of your cat would be very useful - if you get stuck with the posting of pics you can always email them to me and I'll add them for you.
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Thanks to everyone who replied. That was a nice welcome. I am trying to get pictures of her. My camera had a leaky battery in it and now is malfunctioning. Frustrating!
I had already seen the images in the links that everyone was so nice to send. My cat is in the (I think this is right) "Thinking Cat" pose. She is left facing, white with blue polka dots and green glass eyes. She does not look anything like the smiling (Cheshire looking expression) cats on the links from wemyss ware. No silly expression, she is much more sedate. She is in the exact style and pose of the cat on the Sotheby's link. The only difference is that mine has blue polka dots and the cats on the Sotheby's site is decorated with cabbage roses or thistle.
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Hi Cathy, why dont you send images to the Wemyss web site? they have a history page, but i think you are probably right about it being scarce.
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Hi Sue,
I am really new to this, perhaps I have posted in the wrong forum? I don't have a URL for Wemyss, could you share it with me?
I am still trying to get pix uploaded. Thanks for your help!
Cathy
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Hi Cathy the link for Wemyys is in Lynne's post above, or you could email these people
http://www.scottish-towns.co.uk/fife/newburgh/antiques/index.html
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Thanks for the link Sue. I did write to them. If I hear anything interesting I will post it here.
I guess what keeps me going is the fact that after all of the hours scouring the Internet for a Plichta or Wemyys polka dotted cat, I haven't see a thing. Not a single animal, cats especially, decorated in spots.
I am getting really curious! Thanks Again, Cathy
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Cathy, it sounds really interesting. I hope you manage to fix the camera problem so we can see yours.
The pic you mean is, I'm assuming, this one?
http://www.antiques-scotland.co.uk/images/Aug03/soth_glen03wemyss_lot364.jpg - if so I think the flowers are red clover. (Might help someone else with searching. :))
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Is this pig the same pattern, Cathy?
http://www.piggybankpage.co.uk/Photos/FullSize/a09-017-Plichta.jpg
Oooh and a polka dotty polar bear here too:
http://www.lambertandfoster.co.uk/files/20079111143024th%20July%202007.pdf.
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Hi,
Thanks for the links. As for the pig... He is cute. Yes, my cat has blue polka dots but the color and amount of spots on the pig isn't in line with the cat. I am still having camera troubles. I really need to get a picture of her posted. Anyway, maybe the pig looks different because the image isn't true.
As for the polar bear... He looks "newer" to me. My cat is old. Also, she has the green glass eyes and he doesn't. But still, I am really glad you found those because it is a measure of proof that Plichta did make polka dotted animals.
My cat has been in our family since at least the 30's, when my dad was a kid. I think it is even older than that. My grandmother was born in 1885. So who knows how old the cat is. I am trying to learn more about Plichta and what periods are represented by the makers mark on my cat.
Maybe I am wrong, and please correct me if I am... It seems to me that my cat may indeed be a rare thing. I say this because I am certain that she is quite old and because there are many examples of Plichta cats in exactly the same pose and size as mine, yet there are just no polka dotted cats to be found. On the Internet at least. The cabbage rose, clover and thistle cats demand some very high prices and there are numerous examples of them. Which leads me back to the same thing... Why aren't there any spotted cats?
I look forward to reading replies of anyone's opinion. There is no one who knows less about this subject than me! I have a lot to learn and welcome all comments and opinions.
Thanks, Cathy
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Yes, this camera thing is annoying. Normally I don't give my ability to take pictures a second thought. Then when I NEED the thing it won't work!
My other camera is at my mother-in-laws house. If I can't get my spare going I will drive out to her house and get my main camera.
So, where I am going with this is that I will post pictures today, no matter what.
I thought I would post this so that anyone who has been helpful or is just interested in this case will know that today there will be something to look at. Come hell or high water!
Thanks, Cathy
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There is one more aspect to the cat that I failed to mention. The glazing on her is "crazed", or maybe the correct word is "crackled"? I am not sure... Anyway, it appears that that was the desired finish. She is completely smooth. I would think that if the finish was crazed from old age or mistreatment that it would be bumpy or something. OK, I don't know how helpful that was! I hope someone understands what I mean!
Thanks, Cathy
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Crazing is often found on old china and cannot be felt, sometimes it can't even be seen until you take a photo or the light is right - it's age
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Funnily enough i have only ever seen four pieces of Wemyys and all were crazed.
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Some pottery seems more susceptable than others to crazing - this article explains why it happens: http://ceramic-materials.com/cermat/education/190.html - it's a defect rather than just being age-related. I have some fairly recent china (1990s) which is badly crazed also. I suspect we see it more on older pieces as the temperature controlling equipment would not have been as precise as can be achieved with modern production methods.
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Hi Anne,
I STILL didn't get my other camera. It is at my mother-in-law's and I haven't been able to get them on the phone all day. :bh:
I can't wait to get a picture to you and hopefully one that will show this "crazing" clearly.
I looked at your link and I understand what you mean when you say it is a defect, but honestly Anne I think this is different. It is attractive and looks deliberate. But, what do I know? So we will see. That is if I ever get my hands on my blasted camera again!
Cathy
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Cathy, I can imagine your frustration at not being able to retrieve your camera. :)
Re the crazing, when it says defect, it's one of those things which doesn't show up immediately, sometimes it can happen years later - hence Christine's observation of it being age-related.
In the case of my recent pieces, which were bone china cup/saucer and plate the cup crazed badly as soon as it was used for tea. Before it was used it was fine - hot tea in it and suddenly it crazed liked mad.
That's what we mean by a defect in this case - it's a change which happens as a result of something later but is actually connected to the manufacturing process, so may only affect some items from a production, others may not have crazed as the glaze mix or the temperature could have been different.
None of this is to say that your cat has a problem - what it *could* do is explain is the scarcity of the polka dot pattern as a whole - if there was a perceived problem with the pieces crazing they may not have made many in that pattern and this *could* explain why so few are seen compared to other patterns.
Of course, I'm thinking out loud here and I could be way off base and there could be an entirely different reason for so few polka dot pieces. :bny:
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Please do think outloud! That is how we learn. You make a very interesting point about the possible reason no one seems to have ever seen a polka dotted cat. I would never have thought of that.
I think I understand the basic mechanics of what makes a piece craze. But, I can picture it better with regard to your tea cup. The rapid temperature change causing expansion or shrinkage resulting in a glaze that no longer "fits" correctly. What I can't picture is how that same theory applies to a cat who has certainly never been filled with hot tea. A real head scratcher...
Thank you for your continued posts and answering my questions. I am going to leave to get my husband from work. We are down to 1 car this week because last Wednesday a teenager pulled out in front of me and as a result totaled my truck! This is why I haven't been able to accomplish something as simple as getting my camera back. We are pressed for time to begin with, then take one car out of the picture and bad things happen!
Thanks to all for your patience!
Cathy
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The rapid temperature change causing expansion or shrinkage resulting in a glaze that no longer "fits" correctly. What I can't picture is how that same theory applies to a cat who has certainly never been filled with hot tea. A real head scratcher...
Hi! Over the years, some porcelain bodies will carry on shrinking slightly. If this is at a different rate to the glaze, then you will get crazing on the piece. This will be very even and all over, different to the individual lines that you get from heat or cold, and is often desirable if the piece has modern copies available as these will not be showing the even fine crazing of an older piece - rather like patination on a wooden or bronze item. Particularly you will see it like granulation in the creases of an item where the glaze is thicker.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks for the further explanation Lynne,
I would never have thought that crazing could be desirable. It makes sense that what you call "fine crazing" (which is a perfect description for my cats surface) might be desirable as a means to separate new knockoffs from the real deal. The crazing on my cat is all over and even. As even as crazing can be I suppose!
I am sure all of you are starting to wonder if I have a camera! Well, I do, and today, no matter what, I am getting it back. I will make the time today, no matter what.
I will take as many angles as possible so that perhaps this crazing will show and then you can judge for yourself. If there is any certain shot that any of you might want please email me or post your request here. Is there a limit to how many pix a person can post?
I had also read quite a bit about the makers marks on these cats. I don't know how much this will tell anyone but mine says: Plichta, London, England, Hand Painted.
I am really excited to get photos of her up for everyone to see. I am looking forward to hearing everyone's opinion's. It should prove to be a good time!
Cathy
PS. Something exciting happened yesterday. I had written to the person who is listed on the Sotheby's site as the resident ceramics and porcelain expert. I wrote to her on a lark, never thinking that someone at Sotheby's would really be interested in my cat and bother to write back to me. Well.... She did! She wrote back late yesterday and she wants pictures!
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How exciting for you Cathy! please let us know what she said.
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The woman at Sotheby's who wrote to me is named Georgiana Bruce. She is the Valuation Manager, Sotheby's Scotland.
Are any of you familiar with her?
Cathy
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No, but if she is the valuation manager for Sothebys, she must know her stuff.
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You need to take a pic of the base, one of the front and back complete, and a close up of the face with the glass eyes. These should be sufficient for Sotheby's too, she'll let you know if she needs anything else.
The glass eyes cats are much more desirable than the ones with later eyes, and are usually earlier. The big money is on the signed Galle cats with glass eyes - always too expensive for me those ones! Wemyss also produced Galle Style cats that are very desirable, and yours may be one of these.
The Galle is the same Galle of France who makes the beautiful cameo glass, and one of his large ones with blue hearts on a yellow background sold in the US for just under $8000 in 1999, and it is not unusual for them to make around that figure.
The Wemyss ones are later, and are also being produced by Griselda Hill as reproductions.
http://www.wemyssware.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
I also found this listing for Sotheby's for a Wemyss sale:
http://www.antiques-scotland.co.uk/sothebys/sothebys_glen02/soth_glen02_wemyss.htm
if you look at item no. 393, this is a Plichta signed Galle cat - good price!
Which shape is yours - like the first Plichta's at the top, or like this Galle Plichta at the bottom?
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It is exciting Sue! I don't want to read too much in to it, but do you think she would write back if she didn't think it might be worth her time?
By that I mean is she interested because she is looking for a consignment? Aren't the fees from an auction house through the roof?
It would seem that a person would have to have an item of some value to make employing an auction house worth its fee.
What do you think?
Cathy
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p.s. the serious collectors for Wemyss are still in Scotland - you could ask Sotheby's if they prove to be interested if this should be sold at their Edinburgh office.
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It is exciting Sue! I don't want to read too much in to it, but do you think she would write back if she didn't think it might be worth her time?
By that I mean is she interested because she is looking for a consignment? Aren't the fees from an auction house through the roof?
It would seem that a person would have to have an item of some value to make employing an auction house worth its fee.
What do you think?
Cathy
1) yes the fees for Sotheby's are high. But the prices they get are also high!
2) There is Plichta Wemyss and Plichta Wemyss.... she would want to look at the pics before giving even the faintest hint as to whether she is interested.
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Lynn,
I believe that my cat is what is known at the "Thinking Cat" pose. She is very regal and sedate looking. Not at all like the whimsical silly looking cats from the Wemyss site.
She is in the exact pose of the cats listed as Plichta. With the huge difference being that she is polka dotted, not painted with cabbage roses or clovers or thistle.
What do you think?
Cathy
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How tall is she?
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Well, I am off to get my husband to work and my son to school. From school I am going to make a bee line straight to my mother-in-laws.
Hopefully she won't be too "chatty", so I can get back here with the camera quickly, and get this show on the road!
Cathy
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One last post before I go...
She is a good foot tall Lynne. I have seen some real minis posted in different places on the Net.
She is not a kitten, she is a full grown cat!
Cathy
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Good size, and should be worth more than a cup of tea!
Fingers crossed for you...
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Anne - can we combine all the links into one thread when we have got as far as we can over here?
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Here she is! The elusive polka dotted cat. I have several shots but due to the file size it appears that I have to upload them one at a time.
Cathy
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Next shot...
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Next...
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OK, there are some pictures. I have to shoot the makers mark picture again. It didn't come out too good.
Cathy
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This is the best I could get. Hopefully you will be able to see it. It say Plichta, London, England, Hand Painted.
The color of the stamp is grayish and it is under the glazing.
Thanks,
Cathy
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She's a beauty for sure Cathy, and well done getting the pics sorted finally. I see what you mean about the dots being a different layout. It seems all three of these polka dot animals had different dot patterns - almost as if they were trials to see which worked best.
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Thanks Anne,
She is pretty if I do say so myself! Did you look at the link that had the Plichta pig on it with polka dots? Does it seem like there aren't enough spots on it or are they just spread out farther from each other because the pig is small?
I asked my dad how old it is. He says that it was around as long as he can remember and he was born in 1934. He also mentioned that Sadie (his mother) really liked antiques. So does that mean it was an antique to her back in the 30's? I just don't know and I don't think dad can really remember either.
So what do you think Anne? You are something of an expert on this stuff. I would love to hear your opinion of her, especially any thoughts on how old she is.
I am really excited to hear back from Sotheby's. I will paste her reply here when it comes. I hope she writes back!
Cathy
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Hi Cathy, Jan Plichta was a wholesaler active between 1930 and 1950, so your cat is going to be from between these dates.
Because each item is hand painted there is always a lot of leeway for differences in the design. Often this is how a painter can be identified by someone who has made a study of the pottery, although I couldn't say anything other than the cabbage roses which were the trade mark of Karel Nekola - there is a lot of information in the links we have given you, so I hope you will enjoy reading about Plichta and Wemyss!