vintage iconic fantastic felines discontinued kitties cats kittens laurel burch

Description

the cup
do note! there are 2 tiny scuffs near the artist signature that you have to be looking for to see. there is some subtle staining at the base of the cup, probably from coffee staying there alot. there is also a little bit of staining on the base that you have to try to see to have it be visible, so very subtle. see second image.
depicts the very recognizable fantastic felines line by laurel birch. vintage 1988. made in japan. signed by laurel in gold. just a cup with those cool cats that can only be laurel's (see more on the line as well as laurel, father below). discontinued as laurel passed away in 2007. if you are an animal or cat person, you should have a little piece of fantastic felines. and this could be that piece :). the cup diameter is 3 1/2". it is 3 3/4". from the outermost part of the handle to the opposite rim is 5". the base markings (all in gold) are
laurel burch [in script]
fantastic felines
© 1988 laurel burch
made in japan
not for microwave or oven use
about the «fantastic felines» line
(from: laurelburchstudios.com/blogs/art-themes/fantastic-felines)
fantastic felines is arguably laurel's most renown collection of paintings. a natural inclination fans may have about laurel is that she owned and cared for many cats, but in fact, laurel never owned a cat--at least not until the later part of her career.
nevertheless, her love for cats and their whimsical personalities inspired an entire collection of endless variations which fans still seek today. cats have a magical ability to bring people together, and we're so lucky to be able to share Laurel's words to continue bringing people together.
by laurel burch
these are my favorite messengers of good will!
wWit, whimsy and wisdom sparkle behind teal eyes, purple tails, and brilliant rainbow bodies.
the first subject I chose to create a whole theme around, it was as much the people that «belong» to cats that inspired me, as my love of cats, themselves!
the most extensive and highly collected theme among all of my art subjects, the fantastic feline collection has grown over the years by leaps and bounds, as new characters are introduced and sub-collections of the theme are born.
christmas cats, the earth toned «native cats», «»wildcats», «»mysticats», and «»the fantasticats»...just a few of the families that have grown from the phenomenal feline mystique that continues to inspire me, to this day.
painted purely to bring spirit and delight into everyday lives, the fantastic felines have fulfilled their destiny across the globe.
about laurel burch
(from: laurelburchstudios.com/blogs/brand-history/about-laurel)
laurel always said, «i refuse to have anything in my life that i cannot turn around into something magical and beautiful».
laurel began making jewelry in the haight-ashbury district of san srancisco in the late 1960s, selling her designs on the streets and in local galleries. her unique jewelry was featured in
vogue
magazine in the 1970s after the necklace she was wearing impressed an editor of the magazine. she had created it from found objects she hammered on the back of a frying pan. laurel quickly became an internationally renowned artist and designer.
as a self-taught artist, she traveled around the world to work with local artists and learn their craft. her first trip to china in the 1970s was groundbreaking as she was the first woman to work with a chinese company to create her own designs using their ancient cloisonné techniques. her trips to egypt, the middle east, mexico and bali inspired her to create new collections. on her trips to bali, she worked with local craftspeople to create hand-carved figurines and jewelry. in the american southwest, laurel witnessed the wild mustangs running free through elk canyon. this inspired her to create the wild horses of fire, one of her most treasured paintings. her design inspirations came from the many personal experiences she had with diverse cultures of the world.
she formed her own company laurel burch, inc. and was the first designer to create a boutique within a macy's department store. this resulted in the creation of a model that many designers follow to this day.
her life's work was about the connectedness of all living things, which is expressed through her art and messages, bears important relevance today. there are lots of stories about the giving, receiving and sharing of laurel burch art that perfectly reflect her spirit and love of life. these stories inspire many laurel burch fans and collectors, young and old, who have been deeply touched by her designs.
on september 13, 2007, laurel passed away due to complications from osteopetrosis. she was truly a remarkable spirit. although she is greatly missed by those that knew her personally, and many who did not, her art and messages will forever brighten our world.
maker's and/or other marks
the base markings (all in gold) are
laurel burch [in script]
fantastic felines
© 1988 laurel burch
made in japan
not for microwave or oven use
dimensions
the cup diameter is 3 1/2". it is 3 3/4". from the outermost part of the handle to the opposite rim is 5".
condition
do note! there are 2 tiny scuffs near the artist signature that you have to be looking for to see. there is some subtle staining at the base of the cup, probably from coffee staying there alot. there is also a little bit of staining on the base that you have to try to see to have it be visible, so very subtle. see second image.
the fine print
the images are the majority of the listing description, so take a look at them closely.
shipping costs have really increased—this is calculated into the buy-it-now price.
i am not able to sell individual items from items i have listed as a group. i just don't have the stamina to create new listings for those. i apologize for that. i haven't initially individually listed items because i don't have enough listing slots to so.
trying to downsize some, though extremely melancholically.
shipping time: i otherwise work more than full time and my health isn't great, so kindly excuse the longer handling time. if i am able to ship sooner, i absolutely will do that
. i appreciate you taking the time to view my listing.