Summary
Black ceramic cat figurine (small size) once displayed at the Black Cat Cafe in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, until it closed in February, 2001. One in a set of three cats that vary in size.
Physical Description
Standing black cat figurine. Ceramic with high gloss surface and green painted eyes. Green felt on base has stamped text.
Significance
In recent years the Museum has collected, whenever possible, objects relating to the rapid development, since the 1950's, of Melbourne as a `Cafe Society'. Just as the Legend Cafe was one of the pioneer cafes of the 1950's, the Black Cat's opening in May 1982 signalled the shift towards a new type of cafe that catered for a young, arty, alternative set. From the start, it maintained an almost symbiotic relationship with the nearby Roar Studios, a group of studios and associated art gallery that has produced painters such as David Larwill. The Black Cat Cafe has been a significant contributor to the social, cultural and demographic changes that have made Brunswick Street into what it is today. This point has been made in various newspaper articles written about the Black Cat Cafe since it was announced that it was to close in 2001.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from The Black Cat Cafe, Ms & Mr Toni & Brian Edwards, 06 Apr 2001
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Place & Date Made
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Place & Date Used
The Black Cat Café, Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2000-2001
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Inscriptions
Black stamped text on felt base reads: "MADE IN TAIWAN"
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
9 cm (Length), 6.5 cm (Width), 20.5 cm (Height)
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Exhibition Collection Management
205 mm (Length), 85 mm (Width), 68 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Brunswick Street Culture, Café Culture, Cafés, Cats, Decorative Arts, Food & Drink Consumption
