East Meets West at Next-to-New

You never know what treasures will appear in the Next-to-New trove.  Currently, the shop has on offer a number of extraordinary examples of traditional Japanese dolls.  Japan has a long history of doll making, from simple toys for children to elaborate artistic creations meant only to be displayed and admired.  Beginning in the late 17th century, skilled artisans began crafting the isho-ningyo (fashion doll) modeled after famed kabuki actors, admired courtesans, mythological heroes, and legendary lovers.  A subcategory of the isho-ningyo was the bijin-ningyo, beautiful woman dolls.  Over the centuries, the dolls came to represent a wider view of Japanese life.  Following WWII, the "geisha" doll in her lacquered case was a popular souvenir for Western tourists.  This vintage isho-ningyo portrays a lovely woman in a traditional kimono strolling with her infant securely strapped to her back.  

Her flawless white complexion is of gofun, a mixture of glue and ground oyster shells.  It takes time and skill to make and apply this delicate finish.   

Her original lacquer case is not only unusual because of it red lacquer finish, but also the painted decoration on the base.  Most ningyo display cases are of unadorned black or brown lacquer.

Another Japanese beauty with the gofun finish.  

Under her tradition black lacquer stand is the label of the Nishi Doll Company.  

In a flowing cream kimono printed with butterflies, this bijin-ningyo poses in the more typical dark lacquer case.  Her hairstyle is especially elaborate.

She even has a butterfly perched on one hand.

Her serene face is not of the traditional gofun, but is of painted fabric.  Beginning in the 1920s, Japanese companies began producing doll faces of painted silk fabric for women to use to create their own dolls at home.  Subsequently, doll manufacturers started to use fabric faces as they were easier to manufacture and less costly than gofun.  These faces were used extensively on souvenir dolls marketed to Western tourists after WWII.  Nishi Doll Company, for example, made its later dolls almost exclusively with fabric faces. 

Also in her original lacquer case, this exceptionally large and lovely bijin-ninyo holding a samurai helmet represents Princess Yaegaki-hime.  Her tale is rather complicated; it is sort of like Romeo and Juliet, but with a happy ending. Two powerful noble families are feuding. The princess belongs to one family and her lover to the other. The princess’ family has stolen a magical helmet that belongs to their rivals. At one point the princess seeks to flee her father’s palace and return the helmet to her lover, who is in danger, but she is blocked by a frozen lake. The princess performs a dance with the helmet, summoning magical fox spirits (kitsune) who lead her across the lake. She returns the helmet to her lover, the families make peace, the lovers marry, and everybody lives happily ever after.  The story is told both in bunraka (ancient Japanese puppetry) and kabuki theater.  Yaegaki-hime is typically portrayed in the midst of her dance, holding up the helmet and sometimes accompanied by one or more white foxes.  Another subset of isho-ningyo are dolls portraying kabuki characters, sometimes referred to as takeda-ningyo (takeda derives from the name of a famous early kabuki theater).

Princess Yaegaki-hime also has a painted fabric face.  

There is a label on her base identifying her, but it distorts the traditional story.  It may have been an issue of translation.

Golden Globe

If you promised to give that special someone the world, then this unusual pendant in gleaming gold is the gift you are looking for!  This detailed globe rotates on its axis within its circular frame.  A miniature memento for a globetrotter, the traveler can add precious stones to commemorate all the places he or she visited.  Indeed, someone has already placed four shining red stones to mark past tours, but there is plenty of room for more!

Made in Italy and cast in 14 karat gold, this golden globe would be a wonderful award for some lucky world traveler!

Tripping the Light Fantastic

This light is a deco delight!  Under an alabaster shade, a lithe lovely lady dances in an exotic costume.  She is "Danseuse Des Indies" by Spanish sculptor Ignacio Gallo (deceased 1935) and is part of a lamp attributed to the American company JB Hirsch.  The company was founded in 1907 by Romanian metal smith Joseph B. Hirsch and imported many parts from French foundries.  After WWII, the company purchased a cache of hundreds of prewar molds and cast pieces from bankrupt French foundries.  While the original sculptures would have been made of bronze with carved ivory faces, Hirsch cast the molds in spelter (a zinc alloy) and often used "ivorine" (celluloid) for the features,  assembling them in creative art deco-inspired lamps.  

This graceful dancer, often referred to as the "pixie" by collectors, is enameled spelter with a painted ivorine face and is framed by three metal pillars.  The base is alabaster.  This unique and luxurious lamp will light up any room it adorns, both figurally and literally!

Elegant Eloquence

This shining silver-plate tea set, adorned with deeply embossed roses among rococo swirls, is aptly named "Eloquence," introduced in 1953 by Lunt Silversmiths. Lunt was an America manufacturer of fine silver and silver-plate flatware, tableware, and gift items, first founded in 1902, and rechristened Lunt Silversmiths in 1935. Its Embassy Scroll pattern was chosen by the United States government as its official tableware for all U.S. embassies and consulates.

This sumptuous service is perfect for re-enacting your favorite scenes from "Downton Abbey" or just adding an aristocratic touch to your morning coffee and English muffin.  It is the ultimate accessory for afternoon tea or dinner party dessert, and you will always be prepared just in case Queen Elizabeth decides to drop by for a "cuppa."  Sitting down to tea with this shimmering service on the table will make anyone feel like royalty!  Plus, at Next-to-New, you will not only find this aristocratic tea set, but also an assortment of beautiful antique and vintage porcelain, from cups and saucers to cake plates, to further accessorize your tea table.  

Safe Harbor

Another splendid painting from our trove, this sea-side scene features brightly colored fishing boats and sapphire harbor against purple mountains and an aqua sky. Entitled "Miconos Island" (an alternate spelling of Mykonos, a Greek island renown for its picturesque landscapes and the beautiful beaches), it is signed "Jean Richard" and dated 1969.  This important post-Impressionist painting is an impressive 44 inches by 33 inches.

Jean Richard (1914-1984) was born as Ryszard Onyszkiewicz in Poland.  Although a well-known  international artist, Richard has Texas connections.  Richard first studied at Warsaw's Academy of Fine Arts.  He moved to Paris to continue his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts and afterward traveled and painted throughout Europe.  In 1956, he moved to New York City and in 1962, established a studio in Dallas, where he painted and taught.  Four years later, Richard moved to Lubbock.  Around a decade later, Richard relocated to Oregon.    

Richard's vibrant watercolors and oil paintings won him acclaim worldwide.  His paintings are in museums and collections throughout the globe and his awards include the: Chevalier Culturel et Artistique of France; the Grand Prix at the 1959 International Salon of the Association of Journalists, Writers and Artists for 1959 and 1966; a bronze medal from the Palais des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris, a silver medal from the Academie Francaise of the City of Paris; and the 1970 Grand Prix de New York.  The plaque on the frame commemorates a gold fine arts medal awarded to Richard.

Ein Prosit!

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit 

Der Gemütlichkeit 

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit 

Der Gemütlichkeit. 

(A toast, a toast

To good cheer

A toast, a toast

To good cheer.)

 You will be certainly be ready to cheerfully toast with any of these elegant antique beer steins recently added to the Next-to-New trove.  Although "stein" is derived from either German  "stein krug" or "steingut," indicating stoneware, these sparking steins are from gleaming glass.

The tallest of this collection, this terrific tankard features a hand-painted enameled portrait of a child or woman in flowing white robes raising a stein over the word "Prosit!" 

The pewter top is exceptionally ornate.

Also featuring an enameled portrait, this stein displays a sweetly smiling demure damsel in a traditional dirndl. 

The unusual pewter top is peaked with a glass prism.

Featuring an enameled flower instead of a fair fräulein, this stein in emblazoned with the edelweiss, a flower found in remote mountain regions of the Alps. The flower's name is a combination of the German words for noble (edel) and white (weiß), and the beloved blossom is considered a symbol of purity and strength.

The pewter lid is also adorned with a glass prism, as well a face with flowing mustaches.

The glass of the final stein is decorated only with subtle cutting, but its pewter lid commemorates an important historic event. In 1904, an international exposition was held in St. Louis, Missouri to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase. Some 50 countries exhibited at the St. Louis World's Fair and over 19 million people attended. The fair was spread over 1,200 acres with 75 miles of roads and sidewalks connecting over 1,500 buildings and exhibit halls. The lid features the Festival Hall overlooking the fountains of the Cascade Gardens and the Grand Basin afloat with boats.

Is you are are a collector of fine steins, are looking for a last-minute unique Father's Day gift, or want to get in some early practice for Oktoberfest, come by Next-to-New to toast these treasures from our trove.

By the Beautiful Sea. . . .

The very first treasure from our trove is this stunning seascape of rolling translucent waves scintillating under a sunset sky.  

This exceptionally large and lovely painting is by Alexander Dzigurski (1911-1995), a well-known California artist whose background was, at times, as tempestuous as the sea he loved to paint. He was born in what would later become Serbia, the son of a farmer.  His innate artist talent was encouraged when he traveled to Belgrade to attend art school, later continuing his studies at Munich's Academy of Art. Dizgurski married and following the birth of his daughter in 1933 opened his first studio. However, WWII came and 1941 saw Dzigurski fighting as part of the Yugoslav army. His unit was captured by the Germans and although he was able to escape, he was forced to flee the German invasion of his homeland, taking refuge in the United States.  Dzigurski first supported himself and his family by painting sacred art and icons for Serbian Orthodox churches, but in 1952 they settled in California.  Inspired by the northern California coast, he began to paint his brilliantly lit and realistically rendered roiling seascapes, as well as landscapes inspired by his travels around the United States.  His paintings can be found in museums, institutions, and private collections throughout this country.

Come view this important and inspiring work of art at Next-to-New.  And unlike a museum, at Next-to-New you can buy this magnificent painting and take it home to add to your own private gallery!