Wunderbar Büfett

This beautiful buffet is a magnificent example of mid-century modern, a movement stretching from 1945 through the 1960s. Influenced by the German Bauhaus school and Scandinavian design, mid-century modern furniture is characterized by the simplicity of style, the use of natural materials, and the lack of unnecessary embellishment. This outstanding example of this sought-after style ingeniously incorporates the gorgeous grain of the contrasting woods to complement its clean lines and restrained design.  

The piece carries a small metal label for Möbel-Mühlschwein in Frankfurt, Germany. However, this is not the maker, but a "einrichtungshaus" or furniture store (möbel is German for furniture). The store reportedly closed in 1981. Think of the stories this incredible piece of cabinetry could tell as it traveled through the decades, beginning Frankfurt and ending up in the Next-to-New trove. However, this is not the end of its journey, as the unique piece could enhance your home.

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

15959-142

When Papa Plays the 'Cordion . . .

. . . ev'rybody dances,

When Papa plays the 'cordion in the afternoon,

Mail man whistles "Ain't that fine!"

Waiters hum while people dine, 

Clothes are dancing on the line and a toy balloon

Dances gaily on the air and the kid that had it 

Kicks his heels and doesn't care where it comes to land,

People going diff'rent ways 

Stop and smile and do sashays

All the time when Papa plays his accordion.

When Papa Plays Accordion, Malvina Reynolds, 1958

You can have you neighbors smiling and sashaying, too, when you play this astounding Italian vintage accordion, complete with its carrying case. Called a piano accordion because of its keyboard, this instrument is as beautiful as the music it may make. It has a glowing yellow pearlized finish with a filigree front panel inset with glittering rhinestones.

This is the Napoli model made by Soprani, Inc. The Soprani name has long been renown for its exquisite Italian accordions. In the early 1860s, an Austrian traveler sought shelter at the Soprani family's small farmhouse in Castelfidardo, Italy.  To entertain his hosts, the traveler played an early version of the accordion, first patented in Vienna in 1829. One of the sons, Paolo, was fascinated by the instrument and studied it closely. In 1864, he opened a small workshop to craft accordions, with assistance from his brothers. This was the beginning of the Italian accordion industry, which continues to create finely-crafted instruments to date. The instrument quickly gained popularity and Paolo's workshop later expanded into a factory employing hundreds of workers. In 1872, Paolo's brother, Settimio, opened his own workshop and over the generations other members of the family started their own accordion companies.  

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

16151-24

Pass the Salt. . .

. . . and the pepper and the mustard. Inside this antique case. . . .

. . . is the answer to all your finer condiment serving needs in stunning sterling silver. Fitted in its original satin and velvet lined presentation case, such splendid silver sets were the epitome of elegant dining in Victorian and Edwardian England. 

The set consists of two pepper pots, a mustard pot, two open salt cellars, and three matching serving spoons. Other than needing a little polishing, the pieces are in remarkable shape for their age. 

The pieces carry British silver hallmarks. The top mark is the maker's mark, in this case the initials "R.P." in a shield for Robert Pringle and Sons. The firm was first founded in 1835 by Robert Pringle and renamed Robert Pringle and Sons in 1899. They were known for their fine sterling pieces and made a wide variety of tableware and other items. The firm was in business through the 1960s. The trio of marks below indicate the purity of the metal, where the piece was assayed, and when it was made. The first mark, a lion, indicates the piece is .925 or sterling silver. The center shield contains the stylized leopard's head assay mark for London and the final stamp is known as the date mark. Beginning in the 1500s, the London assay office each year issued a date mark. The date mark uses a cycle of twenty letters of the alphabet in a shield, with different combinations of font and shield shape for each cycle. This particular mark would indicate that this exquisite set was made in 1908.

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

3-8670