Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd

Description

Joan and David de Bethel
Papier Mache Cat with Glass Eyes (dated 1963)
A Victorian engraved print depicting two millers singing has been cut and pasted onto the back of the cat. In-between the two millers a poem has been written with a fine brush which reads: "There Was A Jolly Miller - And He Lived By Himself - As The Wheel Went Round - He Made His Wealth" old song.
A further inscription on the base reads: Made by Joan and David de Bethel in the County Town of Lewes Sussex 1963

All cats by Joan and David are unique and from this early period they are particularly uncommon.

Joan and David first started to make cats as an alternative source of income from around 1960. Originally the first cats were made with layered paper over a chicken wire base until demand increased and they were replaced with papier Mache taken from a mould. The cats became increasingly popular and were sold through outlets in the UK and America. David would make the body of the cats and finish them off with varnish after Joan had decorated them. In 1977 David died and the cats changed in production from papier Mache to ceramic. Joan died in 2017 in Thornwood, Bexhill.


PAYMENT OPTIONS
PayPal /Card transactions can be processed through PayPal on our company website. We also accept payment by cheque and bank transfer. Deferred payments can be accepted over an agreed period of time whilst paintings remain with us.

CONDITION AND PRESENTATION
In our description, if a picture is shown to be framed then the frame will be included with the sale of the picture. Unless stated otherwise all unframed watercolours, drawings and prints have been mounted onto acid-free conservation board using either Japanese hinging paper or reversible wheat starch past. Unframed and mounted pictures are then wrapped in clear polyester film to protect both the picture and the mount. All conservation work has been carried out by accredited conservators.