A True Treasure Chest

Beginning in the 17th century, German immigrants settled in parts of Pennsylvania. They became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, “Dutch” originating from  from “deutsch," meaning “German”  Renown for their carpentry, Pennsylvania Dutch craftsmen created solid simple furniture and chests, often adorned with elaborate and colorful hand painted designs.  This antique chest, attributed to the Pennsylvania Dutch, may have been intended as an “aus schteier kischt” (dower chest), also known as the hope chest or blanket chest.  Beginning as young as 8 years of age, Pennsylvania Duch girls began to sew linens, quilts, towels, and other items in preparation for their future marriage and household.  To contain the growing trousseau, the father or other male relative would build the girl a kischt.  These chests were adorned with a wide variety of folk art designs.  Floral motifs, like the ones found on this chest, were especially popular.  On her wedding day, the bride would  proudly display the contents of her kischt.  After the ceremony, the kischt was  loaded onto the “hochzich watte” (wedding wagon) and carried the the bride's new home.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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These Spoons will Cause a Stir!

Inside this reddish-brown box from our trove of treasures. . . 

. . . is a set of six extraordinary antique demitasse spoons, nestled on yellow satin.  What sets these spoons apart from your typical tableware is that each is topped with twin teeth!

During the Victorian period, there was a fashion for ornaments incorporating animal parts.  Inspired by the Raj, tiger claws and teeth became earrings and pendants, pins made of grouse claws were a popular souvenir of Scotland, and the canine teeth of deer and elk could be found in a wide variety of gold and silver items.  In Austria and Germany, it was a tradition to set deer teeth, typically the trophies of a successful hunt, into jewelry.  Called "hirschgrandln," the tooth-trimmed jewelry was considered good luck, especially for future hunts.  Prince Albert brought this tradition from his homeland, in 1860 giving his beloved Queen Victoria an ornate gold and enamel necklace adorned with the teeth of 44 stags hunted by Albert at the royal estate Balmoral in Scotland. Each tooth was inscribed with the date each animal was killed.  Hirschgrandln became a popular souvenir for Alpine visitors, with a wide variety of pieces being made to satisfy the tourist trade.  The finely detailed oak leaf motif on the top of each handle is very typical of hirschgrandln.

The spoons are marked "800," indicating that they are 80 percent silver.  In 1884, 800 was made the national minimum silver standard in Germany.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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How Ladylike!

Godey's Lady's Book, founded by Louis A. Godey, was an American monthly magazine published from 1830 to 1878. Next-to-New's treasure trove contains this handsome leather-bound volume for 1865.

Each edition included stories, poetry, music, articles, and illustrations, many from prominent writers and artists of the period. Prior to the Civil War, it was the most widely circulated magazine in the United States.

It addition to its literary offerings, the magazine included patterns and instructions for embroidery, sewing, and other handicrafts.

However, perhaps its most striking feature was that every edition included "La Belle Assemble," a beautifully detailed and hand-colored fold-out fashion plate showing elegant ladies and pretty children adorned in the last fashions.  

If you are a fashion historian or a simply lover of history, this beautiful volume deserves a prominent place in your library.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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