You Scream, I Scream. . .

 We all scream for ICE CREAM!

And what could be better than ice cream?  How about ice cream molded in festive forms? Our trove currently has a collection of antique pewter ice cream molds.

With the invention of the hand-cranked ice cream maker in the 1840s, homemade ice cream became a popular treat. The Victorians, who apparently could not leave anything unadorned, began serving ice cream that had been frozen in decorative molds. From the mid-1800s through the 1950s, individual servings of ice cream molded in a variety of inventive shapes appeared at everything from holiday feasts to birthday parties to weddings. To support this craze for decorative desserts, a number of companies turned out pewter ice cream molds in thousands of shapes. In the United States, Schall and Company was established in 1854, soon followed by their major competitor, the Eppelsheimer Company. However, the introduction of packaged ice cream and commercial ice cream novelties, plus concerns about the lead content in the pewter molds, saw the demand for these molds dwindle.

These lovely lovebirds would be the perfect for upcoming Valentine's Day, or for an engagement, wedding, or anniversary celebration.  This one is marked "S& Co" for Schall and Company. As is typical of these molds, the outside is rather plain. . . 

. . .but the inside is beautifully detailed.

This chubby cherub could play Cupid for Valentine's Day.

For Halloween parties, there is this scaredy cat.

This turkey would be an appropriate ending to any Thanksgiving feast.

And for Easter luncheons, there is this little lamb.

This perky pig maybe from the European tradition that a pig is a sign of good luck and prosperity. In Germany, glücksschweinchen (good luck pigs) in the form of candy or other treats were given as gifts during Christmas and New Year's.

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

Lovely Landscape by Texas Artist

This serene Southwestern landscape is an oil painting by awarding-winning Texas artist Daniel Faz Maldonado (1940-2019) .

Maldonado is known for his detailed renderings of open spaces and natural settings, highlighted with warm colors and subtle natural light. In this painting, the bright red of a male cardinal stands out against the soft greens and browns of the foliage while hints of pinks in the wispy clouds floating through the bright blue sky suggest the fading dawn or the coming of dusk. In the distance, smoke rises from the quiet Native American encampment pitched by a deep blue brook. Dashes of red along the teepee echo the cardinal's vivid feathers.

 

Maldonado is renown for his Western landscapes and themes. He graduated from Austin High School in 1959, where he had discovered his love for art. Maldonado worked in both watercolor and oil paint. In 1984, he won the Gold Award in watercolor at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame art show, followed by many other honors. His works have been exhibited at shows throughout the Southwest. 

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

1677-1327

Pick Pocket. . .

 . . . is what you will want to do when you see this wonderful array of vintage wall pockets. 

A wall pocket, also known as a wall vase, is a vase that is flattened on one side and intended to hang on a wall to hold flowers or root plant cuttings. The Victorians, with their love of fresh flowers and the desire to ornament pretty much every square inch of their homes, popularized wall pockets. These pretty and practical pockets were made in a wide variety of style and materials, such as glass, majolica, pottery, and porcelain. From the early 1900s through the beginning of WWII, wall pockets were also popular in the United States. Some were made in Europe and the United States, but many of the most colorful and imaginative creations originated in Japan. 

Luster glazes were a popular way to add a pop of bright color and often are found on Japanese products

This piece is decorated in a style known as moriage, in which raised lines of clay slip were used to add texture and depth. This method was widely used in Japanese pottery, especially items intended for export.

This vase has a dainty art deco design.

Some wall pockets could be large and elaborate.

Pairings of wall pockets were popular.

While most of the wall pockets in our trove are Japanese, we also have some examples of American manufacture. This piece was made by The Nelson McCoy Pottery Company. Established in 1910 in Roseville, Ohio, as the Nelson McCoy Sanitary and Stoneware Company, the company changed its name to the Nelson McCoy Pottery Company in 1933, concentrating on more decorative wares.

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