Ok I also checked out Haeger and it is similar to your bull ,Royal Hickman made the Heager line. prior to working he made pottery under RA Art Pottery of California/ some of his pieces it appears he used for the Haeger line with slight changes. Check out the post on this forum -Royal Hickman California RaArt Pottery , if you look at the photo of the peacock vase by Hickman during his RA Art Pottery of California period and then search Heagers peacock vase (ebay) you will see it is very close just the wing placement & head was changed. I think this is were your piece falls probably Royal Hickmans work prior to working for Haeger. I would not soak off the felt if the piece was not glazed on the bottom it will soak up the water & damage the piece.