Folksy

This charming folk art painting is an original acrylic by Joanne Case, a California artist known for her meticulous and nostalgic paintings of simpler times. She was active in the 1980s and 1990s. This painting is from the Bill W. Dodge Gallery, which was operated by Dodge, himself a well-known folk artist, in Carmel, California from 1980 through 1999.  Case's works have appeared in exhibits and collections throughout the world and have been reproduced as jigsaw puzzles. However, her original artworks do not often appear on the market. This painting's petite size (approximately eleven inches wide) and oval shape appear to be unusual for this artist. The vibrant colors and delicate details are typical of Case's work.

The painting is signed by Case and has the original information leaflet from the Dodge Gallery on the back.

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

11187-68

Statuesque

Statuesque describes a woman who is exceptionally tall and shapely. The words certainly describes this  large lovely lady carefully carved from wood and elaborately adorned with tiny mirrored tiles, glass jewels, and gold cord. She is mostly likely from Southeast Asian. Her tight-fitting hip-length jacket resembles the traditional Burmese htaingmathein. This buttonless jacket is worn over a chemise or bodice and paired with a wrap-around skirt called a longyi. The use of glass tiles or jewels as decoration is also typical of Burmese carvings. She carries a water jug in one hand. Perhaps she is preparing to take part in Thingyan, the Burmese new year, which includes a water festival in which participants playfully douse each other with water to help wash away last year's sins. 

Close ups of the detailed decorations on her elegant outfit.

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 14028-563

Vivat Regina!

Barbie by Mattel originally was meant to portray the all-American teenager, but over the years Barbie has had multiple careers and appeared in many roles. Our trove now has some true Barbie treasures, Barbie as European royalty, dressed in historically accurate and sumptuous costumes. These dolls are part of Mattel's Gold Label limited edition series, "Women of Royalty." This suitably majestic Barbie represents Queen Elizabeth I.

The elaborate costume was clearly inspired by the famous 1592 portrait of "Good Queen Bess" by Flemish artist Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger.

The resemblance to the portrait, including the detailed jewelry, is remarkable.

This limited edition doll was issued in 2004 and appears never to have been removed from from her original display box.

Here Barbie appears as the Empress Josephine, the consort of Napoleon, in her coronation robes. The elaborate gold embroidery includes tiny gleaming bees. The golden bee was long associated with French royalty and Napoleon chose it to represent his status as emperor and as a symbol of his legitimacy as the ruler of France

Her opulent outfit closely copies that worn by Josephine in Jaques-Louis David's 1807 painting, "The Coronation of Napoleon."

Issued in 2005 in a limited edition of 4,500, this doll is still in her original box and does not appear to have ever been removed.

does 

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

3-1858, 3-1859

 

Joan of Arc, They are Calling You

Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc,

Do your eyes, from the skies, see the foe?

Don't you see the drooping Fleurdelis?

Can't you hear the tears of Normandy?

Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc,

Let your spirit guide us through;

Come lead your France to victory;

Joan of Arc, they are calling you. 

"Joan of Arc, They are Calling You" (1917),  

Jack Wells, Al Bryan, and Willie Weston

This superb sculpture captures Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc in French), French heroine and Catholic saint, as she rallies French troops during the final phase of the Anglo-French Hundred Years' War. Born in 1412 to a peasant family, she claimed to have received visions of the archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria instructing her to fight in support of King Charles VII and free France from English domination. At the age of 17, Joan met with Charles, then the dauphin. Charles granted Joan's request to be placed at the head of his army. After a series of victories, Charles VII was consecrated as king. However, Joan was captured in 1430 by a faction of French nobles allied with the English and handed over to the English for trial. She was convicted of heresy and burned at the stake in 1431. Joan was later declared innocent by a tribunal authorized by Pope Callixtus III and canonized in 1920. 

The finely detailed sculpture beautifully portrays the young Maid of Orleans armored and ready for battle atop a spirited steed.

The sculpture is after a work by French sculptor August Moreau (1855-1915), renown for his romantic, allegorical, or historic images. He was a member of a celebrated family of French artists, beginning with his father, Jean-Baptiste Moreau. August exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon and his creations were popular with the public, often reproduced in various sizes and materials.

Of bronze-clad spelter, the statue is stamped the back of the base "Fabrication Francaise * Made in France * Paris." This foundry operated from the 1890s to just before WWI. 

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

230-8246