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!

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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!

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