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!

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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!

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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!

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