You'll Adore. . .

 . . . these doors! Rescued from an antique wardrobe, these exquisite antique doors are ready for some imaginative repurposing. Unique window shutters? A one-of-a-kind headboard for your bedroom? A swinging saloon-style door? A stunning screen? Or even to add an elegant touch to a cabinet or console? All these gorgeous doors need is a little tender loving care and your imagination.

The solid wood doors are gracefully adorned in the epitome of the art nouveau style. Art nouveau was an artistic movement from the 1890s through 1910s that looked to nature for inspiration and is exemplified by undulating and sinuous lines, giving the feeling of movement. The curving lines in the doors are accented by beautifully beveled mirrors. 

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

13790-478

We Have a Bone To Pick with You. . .

. . . and it's doggone gorgeous!

   

Of 18 karat white gold sprinkled with sparkling diamonds, this would be the perfect gift to get you out of the doghouse or to treat yourself if you've been a "good girl."

This pretty petite pendant is from the "Tiny Treasures" line of famed jeweler, Roberto Coin. Born in 1944 in Vicenza, Italy, Coin originally was trained in the hotel trade. However, in 1977, he returned to his birthplace to satisfy his creative passion and study jewelry design. He launched his eponymous brand in 1996. Coin is committed to sustainability, planting trees to neutralize the carbon footprint of his enterprises and ensuring that his diamonds are certified to come from legitimate, conflict-free sources. This whimsical pendant is stamped "18k" and carries Coin's initials, "RC."

Another signature of Coin is that every piece is set with a tiny red ruby on the underside, his secret gift to the wearer. Coin was inspired after reading the ancient Egyptians believed that rubies brought happiness, health, and love.

The original minute clasp appears to have been replaced with a larger one in sterling silver, no doubt to make it easier for the wearer to put on and remove the necklace. 

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

16491-30

Traveling by Travois

This bright and vibrant Western scene depicts Native American women moving a mountain camp using a travois.

A travois was an A-frame structure consisting of a platform or netting mounted on two long poles. It was used extensively by Plains tribes and was dragged by hand, dogs, or, following the Spanish introduction of horses into North America in the 16th century, by actual horse power. The travois was able to travel over a variety of terrains, such as soft soil or snowy ground, that would have been difficult to navigate with wheels. 

The painting is by Sheryl Lamar Bodily (1936-2024). Born in Boise, Idaho, Bodily is renown for his detailed depictions of the West, and especially his respectful portrayals of Native American culture. He began oil painting at the age of 14 and studied commercial art for two years at Brigham Young University in Utah. His richly colored paintings are in numerous public and private collections throughout the world, including the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, Montana, and that of the late President Lyndon Johnson. Bodily has received numerous honors and awards, including 1986 Ellensburg Washington Rodeo Association Poster Award and the Goodey Indian Culture Award at the National Art Show.

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

3333-13500

All Washed Up. . .

. . . is what you could be if you had this wonderful antique wash basin and pitcher set. Before the days of indoor plumbing, such sets allowed one to tidy up without having to visit the well or pump. The pitcher would be filled with water daily and a bit poured in the basin as needed for washing hands or face. The wealthy had sets of porcelain, or even silver or gold, often finely decorated, while the less affluent used simpler stoneware, earthenware, or pottery. This piece is earthenware, a low-fire ceramic that is more porous and softer than porcelain, but was also far more affordable. England has long been a producer of earthenware, dating back to the 1700s, but several advances allowed the rising middle class to adorn their homes with colorful and beautifully decorated wares. The first was the creation of transferware in the mid-1700s, in which a design could be printed on paper and then transferred to a porcelain or earthenware piece. Originally intended to copy the intricate blue and white designs of expensive imported Chinese porcelain, transferware was soon made in a variety of colors. The technique also allowed potteries to offer a wide variety of patterns. Using the lines of the transfer design as a guide, skilled decorators might fill in selected areas with additional colors before firing. Advances in printing technology later allowed multicolored transfers. Improved machinery and techniques introduced during the industrial revolution in the 19th century enabled English potteries to mass produce high quality and affordable wares, which were exported throughout the world.

The Chinoiserie pattern has Asian elements interpreted through English eyes. 

Underneath, the piece is stamped "Keeling & Co Ltd." Keeling was an English manufacturer of transfer-decorated earthenware, producing a variety of tableware, as well as decorative and utilitarian items. Founded in 1886, the company was in business until 1936. "Langham" appears to be the name of this pretty pattern.

It is also marked "Losol Ware." Losol Ware, introduced by Keeling in 1912, was the name given to a line of earthenware that used a glaze containing less than one per cent soluble lead, known as "low solubility glaze." Lead was originally used in ceramic glazes because it melted at a low temperature, gave the glaze a durable glass-like finish, and intensified certain colors. However, as companies and the public became more aware of the dangers of lead poisoning, manufacturers sought safer alternatives.

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

16822-7

All the Way from Norway. . .

. . . is where this rather unique gent with an oddly engaging smile came from. He is a troll, not the Internet kind, but of the ancient and mythical variety. 

Trolls trace their origins back to Norse mythology. They were an ancient race who lived in the isolated forests and mountains. Some were giants, some had three heads, and others lived underground, but all were described as ugly, with a rough appearance, oversized nose, and a hairy cow-like tail. Generally they avoided people, but were protective of their woodlands and did not take kindly to trespassers, in some cases even eating unfortunate travelers. Slow-witted and often grouchy, trolls did possess some magical powers. They could place curses on humans who angered them and some were capable of shape-shifting. A troll might turn into a beautiful woman in an attempt to lure a hunter or farm boy into the woods. However, the troll could never disguise its tail and many a young man was saved when he noticed a tail twitching out from under the lovely lady's skirts. Trolls were night creatures and avoided sunlight, which would turn them into stone, and some of the craggy rocks along Norway's fjords or capping its mountains are claimed to be the remains of unwary trolls would failed to reach home by sunrise.

This troll was created by the Norwegian company, Ny Form, founded by Trygve Torgersen. Born in 1924, Trygve graduated from the Kunstakademiet (Art Academy) in 1945 with honors in sculpture. Following his marriage to Evelyn Signora Torgersen, the couple decided to create souvenir figurines and in 1957 started production of Norwegian nisse (elves) and trolls at their home in Oslo. However, most retailers found Trygve's creations too ugly and frightening. Taking advantage of a government program encouraging businesses to relocate to create more employment opportunities, in 1963 the couple moved to Tynset, joined by their daughter and son-in-law. Trygve designed a new line of figures and in 1964 Ny Form officially opened. The new creations, simultaneously ugly and endearing, were an immediate hit.  Ny Form trolls are now found in souvenir shops throughout Norway and the trolls are sought after by collectors from all over the world. Crafted from latex, each troll is handmade and painted, often topped with a wild wig of wool or reindeer fur. New models are introduced periodically and older ones retired. Evelyn and Trygve themselves retired in the 1970s, but their daughter and her husband continue to operate the company. This troll is a sizable 21 inches and is a model that was discontinued in 1995. 

Norwegian farmers believed that a small troll lived hidden on their farm; if the farmer angered the troll, such as being cruel to his animals or failing to take good care of the land, the troll could sour the cows' milk or wither the crops. To stay on the good side of the irascible troll, the farmer would leave out offerings of the troll's favorite food, porridge with butter. It is still a tradition in Norway to leave a bowl of porridge in the barn or on the porch at Christmas as a gift to the local troll. So with Christmas just around the corner, why not create a new tradition? Instead of an elf on the shelf, you can have a troll with a bowl.

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

16592-170

Artistic Interpretation of Early Austin

This striking and unusual artwork reimagines a vintage image of Congress Avenue. 

 

The center of the picture portrays a dapper Dr. Mathews as he stands in front of his office, while a smiling crowd looks on. 

A clue to the date of the image is the reference to the "Casino Theater." The theater opened in 1909 at 702 Congress Avenue and closed in 1924. The site is now the home of the Contemporary Jones Center. 

The artist, Raymond Zaplatar, has lived in Austin for over 27 years. He was born in Ontario, Canada and went to the H. B. Beal Secondary School in London, Ontario, renown for its excellent art department. Although Zaplatar has worked in pastels, graphite, acrylic, and oils, he finds himself returning to watercolor.  According to Zaplatar, the original image came from a historic foundation and he added the foreground figure, which is a portrait of a friend's father.

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

16750-30

A Wise Choice. . .

 . . . is what you will have made when you select this stunning signet ring in gleaming 18 karat gold. The ring features the helmeted profile of Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. 

The image of Athena is actually a replica of a coin issued during the reign of Alexander III of Macedon, also known as Alexander the Great, from 336 BC to 323 BC. The obverse of the coin, visible from the inside of the ring, spells out "Alexander" in ancient Greek letters and includes the images of the club and bow of Hercules, which often appeared on coins of the era. Alexander claimed to be a descendant of this mythological hero. 

The inside of the ring is stamped "750," the assay mark for 18 karat gold, meaning that the metal is 75 percent gold.

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

14130-114

All Hale!

Which is what you will want to shout when you see this handsome and functional sectional bookcase by Hale Manufacturing Company. Originally dubbed "barrister bookcase," this style of bookcase was widely used by barristers in late Victorian England. In the English judicial system, a barrister was a lawyer licensed to advocate in court, particularly in the higher courts, and needed an extensive law library. These sturdy stacking modular bookcases not only allowed a barrister to arrange and add bookshelf room as needed, but a barrister could also remove a section or sections to easily and safely transport books to a court or to consult with another attorney or a client.

 The glass fronts, which smoothly slid up and over the books, helped protect the often costly volumes from dirt and dust. These useful and attractive bookcases soon became popular in offices and homes throughout Europe and in the United States, used not only to display treasured tomes, but also objets d'art.

Hale Manufacturing Company was originally founded in 1907 by Mr. F. E. Hale in Herkimer, New York, to manufacture barrister-style sectional bookcases. The company is still in business today.

 

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

7904-27

The Devil Wears Prada*. . .

. . . and so can you with these new treasures from our trove! Next-to-New has recently added an Apparel category, which includes carefully selected and curated designer fashions and menswear. We currently have a tantalizing trio of high-fashion footwear from Prada S.p.A., an Italian luxury fashion house that specializes in finely crafted leather goods, such as shoes, leather handbags, and other accessories. Each pair comes with its original box.

Prada was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1913 by brothers Mario and Martino Prada as a leather goods shop. Ironically, even though Mario did not believe that women should have a role in business, he was succeeded by his daughter, Luisa, who was later succeeded by her daughter, Muiccia. The company continues as a well-known luxury brand, and has since expanded into other areas of fashion, including men's and women's clothing, perfume, and eyewear.

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

* The Devil Wears Prada is a bestselling novel by Lauren Weisberger, who had previously had worked as the personal assistant for "American Vogue" editor Anna Wintour. The 2003 novel chronicles the not-so-glamourous life of a personal assistant to a powerful and demanding fashion magazine editor. It was made into a movie of the same title in 2006.

An Incredible Credenza!

The epitome of both Danish modern design and mid-century modern aesthetics, this beautiful vintage rosewood credenza is attributed to the Danish firm of Skovby Møbelfabrik. Danish modern design actually dates back to after WWI, emphasizing function and the beauty of form and natural woods over ornamentation. In the United States, beginning in the 1950s, the elegant simplicity of Danish modern furniture was a perfect fit with the mid-century modern movement, which also promoted the use of natural materials, the elimination of unnecessary embellishment, and an emphasis on craftsmanship and clean, uncluttered silhouettes. The 1960s saw in big boom in the incorporation of Danish modern furniture in American homes, but, by the end of the decade, changes in American consumer tastes and shopping habits resulted in it falling out of favor. However, once again consumers and collectors have come to appreciate the beauty and versatility of Danish modern furniture and vintage pieces as gorgeous as this example are in high demand.

Demonstrating the Danish modern focus on functionality, there are ample storage options. . .

. . . including these velvet-lined drawers. 

Skovby was founded in 1933 by cabinetmaker Thorvald Rasmussen, creating innovative, sustainable and functional furniture. As his work grew in popularity and the company expanded from a one-man workshop, he was joined by his son, Villy Rasmussen. Today, the family tradition continues under his grandsons,  Preben and Jørgen Rasmussen.

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

16768-5

Cool. . .

. . . is what you'll say when you see this attractive antique oak icebox.

For centuries humans have struggled with how to preserve food. Many foodstuffs could be smoked, dried, or fermented, but our ancestors understood that cold could keep meat, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables fresh. Storage could be as simple as immersing an item in a natural spring or as labor-intensive as digging a root cellar. Ice pits and wells lined with stone and filled with ice harvested from ponds and lakes were the earliest iceboxes. In the early 1800s, Frederick Tudor established the Tudor Ice Company, commercially harvesting ice during New England winters and shipping it as far away as Hong Kong and India.  Dubbed the "Ice King," Tudor insulated the ice with sawdust, a byproduct of the lumber industry, learned how to stack it like bricks to help preserve it during its journey, and built special insulated ice houses for storing the ice. By the mid-1800s, the machines for artificially creating ice were patented.

The availability of ice resulted in the creation of the home "icebox," typically lined with zinc or tin and adorned outside with wood. By the late 1800s, such iceboxes were standard kitchen appliances. Because the ice would eventually melt, homes had regular visits from ice men who delivered blocks of ice, some as heavy as 60 pounds. In 1927, General Electric introduced the first popular electric refrigerator and by the 1930s, iceboxes were becoming obsolete.

However, you could give this unique antique a second life. With its handsome oak exterior, it would make the most amazing cooler for drinks and adult libations, or, with a little ingenuity, it could be repurposed as a bar, storage unit, or even book shelf. 

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

 

Drop By. . .

. . .which is what you will want to do if you wish to view this unusual bit of barware. Although it may resemble an oil can, this sterling silver trinket by Tiffany and Company is not for the Tin Man who has everything, but instead is meant to meticulously measure out vermouth for making martinis. Although elegantly engraved "1875," this retired design dates from the 1960s.

The vintage vermouth dispenser comes with its original Tiffany box in the company's iconic blue. 

Underneath, it is stamped "Tiffany & Co. Sterling."

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

12708-3707

Gig 'Em!

Previously on this blog we featured a rare 1937 Wedgwood commemorative plate featuring one of the buildings at the University of Texas at Austin campus. Now, from our trove, we present this vintage Wedgwood plate honoring UT's arch rival, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, better known as A&M. Appropriately colored maroon and white, the plate features the Academic Building, completed in 1912.

This plate was one of a 12-piece set of dinnerware depicting various landmarks of the A&M campus. Pinky L. Downs, a member of the A&M Board of Regents from 1923 to 1933, is credited with the idea of commissioning the plates (he is also said to have introduced the Aggie "Gig’em" hand sign). In 1935, the university held a contest between its landscape arts and architectural majors for the plates' design and the winner, Jack F. Doyle, was awarded $10 and a complete set of the original 12 Wedgwood plates. Two additional plates, featuring the All Faiths Chapel and the Memorial Student Center, were added in the 1950s.

The plate is stamped on the back with Wedgwood's mark and the mark of the importer. Most plates in this series also included a stamp on the back of an Aggie cadet standing at attention, but some, such as this one, are mysteriously missing this mark. 

The design around the rim depicts six shields, each representing one of the flags that flew over Texas, as well as prickly pear cactus, and, somewhat ironically,  longhorns.

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

An Astounding Still Life

This amazing art work is by Texas artist Stephen Kirk Richards. 

Richards is renown for his meticulously detailed realist paintings and his use of deep rich colors.  His works include still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and historical or literary images. 

The painting not only carries Richard's signature, but also has a copy of his biography on the back. 

 Richards was born in 1952 and currently resides in Amarillo.  He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of the Arts degrees at West Texas State University and studied with American painter Richard Lack.  He is one of the 24 artists in this country who is certified by the American Portrait Society and has exhibited throughout the country.  Richard's works have won numerous awards, including the: 1987 Lee M. Loeb Memorial Award for Excellence, 2011  Best of Show in the National Juried Biennial Exhibition at the Amarillo Museum of Art,  and the 2013 Goddess of Art Award in the first annual National Invitational Exhibition of the American Society of Traditional Artists in Scottsdale, Arizona.  He is an honorary member of the American Society of Traditional Artists and an honorary Living Master at the Art Renewal Center.  His works are included in many private and public collections and he has received numerous commissions.  

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

16152-157

Two Heads are Better Than One. . .

. . . especially on this beautifully bizarre vintage bar or table featuring an exotic elephant who is literally two-faced.  From the American furniture firm of Hancock & Moore, this phenomenal pachyderm dates from the 1990s. 

The table top itself may be a replacement, but the original mounting hardware appears to be in place. The gilding also may be a previous owner's customization. However, this extraordinarily uncommon elephant table is a rare beast indeed and will appeal to any affictionado of the unique.

Hancock & Moore was founded in 1981 in North Carolina. Employing skilled craftspeople, the furniture is handmade and built to order, using high quality wood, upholstery, and leather. 

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

16151-1376