Shearwater Pottery Music-Themed Cat Figurine

This is a Shearwater cast pottery cat figurine, measuring approximately 12 inches by 11 inches. The mold for this piece was designed by Walter Inglis Anderson, and the intricate decoration was executed by Patricia Anderson Findeisen, making it a fully marked, commissioned piece. The cat is depicted in a seated posture, with its tail curled slightly around its right flank, and its head turned towards its left. The primary color palette of the decoration includes rich amber, deep forest green, various shades of brown, muted purple, and black with segments of off-white or cream acting as a base color. The surface is adorned with an elaborate, hand-painted pattern incorporating musical motifs such as a saxophone, musical notes, a treble clef, a keyboard (piano keys), and a drum. These musical elements are intertwined with organic, swirling abstract designs, reminiscent of Art Nouveau or Celtic knotwork. The application of the glazes appears to be precise, indicating skilled craftsmanship. The surface exhibits a glossy finish. There are no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear, suggesting the item is in excellent condition. The overall quality of the modeling and the detailed decoration points to a high level of artistry and indicates a piece of significant artistic and cultural value from a renowned pottery studio.

I have thoroughly examined the provided details and image of this Shearwater Pottery cat figurine. The reported dimensions of approximately 12x11 inches indicate a substantial piece. Its provenance, with the mold designed by Walter Inglis Anderson and the intricate decoration by Patricia Anderson Findeisen, marks it as a highly desirable and authentic Shearwater piece. The 'fully marked' and 'commissioned piece' designations further enhance its authenticity and value, suggesting it was a custom order with specific artistic direction, in this case, a music-based theme. The description highlights a vibrant palette of amber, forest green, browns, purple, and black on a cream base, adorned with precise hand-painted musical motifs like a saxophone, notes, treble clef, keyboard, and drum, intertwined with organic, abstract designs. This detailed artistry, combined with the glossy finish and reported excellent condition with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear, firmly establishes the piece's high quality and artistic merit. Market demand for Shearwater Pottery, particularly pieces involving both Walter Inglis Anderson and Patricia Anderson Findeisen, is consistently strong. The unique music-themed decoration adds to its rarity and appeal, potentially attracting collectors within specific niche markets. Comparables of well-documented Shearwater animal figurines with intricate decoration by known artists often achieve significant prices at auction and through reputable dealers. Without a physical inspection, I cannot confirm the absence of hairline cracks, repairs, or the exact application nuances of the glazes. A hands-on examination would allow for tactile assessment, blacklight testing for repairs, and microscopic inspection of the glaze and brushwork to further authenticate the piece and its condition definitively.