(L. to r.) La Freccia, 13.5 cm; unknown Asian maker, 10 cm; unknown Italian maker, 12 cm

Yes, its ridiculous, ceramic cats. Not only that, a disturbing pink, polka-dotted cat. I don’t know what I was thinking, either. My only defense is they (OK, not so sure about the cup) are a) examples of the mid-century ceramics world and *apologies* b) curiosity killed this cat so I had to buy them. The pink La Freccia (The Arrow, thus the printed symbol on the bottom) cat was designed by Tarcisio Toscin in the 50s-60s; there is a larger blue example featured in Mark Hill’s Book Alla Moda. The dark blue cat, who is marked with a number and the words “Bristol” (perhaps a distributor) and “Italy,” is probably from the 50s. I’ve seen a green cat and an elephant with the same coloring and decor; oddly enough, while both are piggy banks, my friend is not. Last we have the cup… which I am embarrassed to say I have not found the time to have translated. I know next to nothing about this playful design, but the craquelure on it does hint at a respectable age. If I’m wrong, well, cat’s got my tongue.

Postscript In a sad bit of news, the La Freccia pink cat was a victim of my cat… who brushed past it, knocked it over, and in doing so cracked the tail right off. Perhaps a case of feline jealousy?