Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
This vibrant ceramic vase features a stylized, whimsical blue cat with golden accents, rendered in the unmistakable signature style of artist Laurel Burch. It showcases a high-gloss glaze with raised relief details that give the feline figure a wonderful tactile quality. The bold, contrasting color palette of turquoise, orange, purple, and black captures the joyful, mythical essence of Burch's beloved animal designs.
Story
Laurel Burch began her career in the 1960s by hammering metal scraps into jewelry on the streets of San Francisco. Her self-taught, vibrant paintings of mythical animals eventually blossomed into a global design phenomenon.
Maker / Origin
Laurel Burch (1945–2007) was an American artist, designer, and businesswoman who overcame a painful bone disease, osteopetrosis, by channeling her energy into bright, uplifting art. Her signature style combined brilliant colors, gold and silver outlines, and whimsical animal motifs, particularly cats.
Condition & Value
The vase appears to be in excellent vintage condition with no visible chips, cracks, or crazing in the glossy glaze. The colors remain bright and unfaded. Excellent, damage-free condition is crucial for maintaining the value of these decorative ceramic pieces.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.