You'll Cherish this Chair. . . .

The epitome of mid-century modern design, this chair resembles the designs of renown American furniture creator Adrian Pearsall, with its low-slung design, soft organic curves, and wood accents. 

Pearsall was born in Trumansburg, New York, in 1925. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950 with a degree in architectural engineering degree and in 1952 founded Craft Associates. In the beginning, Pearsall built and designed his furniture in his basement, selling his creations from the back of a truck. However, his innovation designs that perfectly combined functionality with the modernistic aesthetic quickly caught on. His company expanded, opening a factory in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Ever an innovator, Pearsall created hundreds of furniture designs, from glass-topped free-form walnut coffee tables to his famed "gondola" sofas and chairs, so named because their low curved form resembles a gondola. In 1969, the company was sold to Lane Furniture Company, so that Pearsall could focus on sailing and yacht restoration. He died in 2011. 

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

13372-39

Taking a Stand. . . .

. . . is what you'll want to do upon seeing this impressive and early example of an American art pottery plant or fern stand. In 1880, Maria Longworth Nichols Storer founded Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati, Ohio, the first American art pottery. The company's first products were its "Standard Glaze" line, a gleaming translucent yellow-tinted glaze applied over delicate and detailed slip-painted subjects glowing in soft colors against a dark background, most commonly brown. The designs were originally inspired by Japanese artworks, but soon came to encompass a wide variety of subjects, from floral and landscapes to detailed portraits of Native Americans. The decorating technique became so popular, other American pottery companies soon created their own versions. The consigner identifies this piece as by Roseville, but other pottery companies such as Weller Pottery and J. B. Owens Pottery, also produced similar standard glaze-inspired pieces. The Roseville line introduced in 1900 was dubbed "Rozane" (a combination of names of the cities of Roseville and Zanesville, Ohio). 

Golden yellow pansies seem to pop out of the glossy deep greens and browns. Typically such stands were topped by a matching planter or pot, referred to as a jardiniere.

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16278-2

Royal Purple

Since Roman times, purple has been the color associated with royalty. You will certainly feel like a queen when wearing this regal ring. 

The simple but elegant 14 karat yellow gold setting frames an astounding scintillating (and sizable) stone of rich purple. We are not gemologists and certainly cannot make any guarantees, but considering the fine quality of this ring and the workmanship of the setting, the stone could well be an amethyst.

The inside of the shank is stamped "14K."

On the other side is what appears to be the maker's mark.

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

16095-55

I'm a Barbie Girl. . .

. . .in a Barbie world

Life in plastic, it's fantastic

Whether you want to make your own music video to the 1997 hit "Barbie Girl" by the Danish-Norwegian

pop group Aqua or want to be ready to act out your favorite scenes from the upcoming "Barbie" movie, this vintage Barbie and friends are just what you'll need.

The star of the show is of course Barbie (her full name, according the the backstory created by Mattel, is Barbara Millicent Roberts). Introduced in 1959 and designed by Ruth Handler, Barbie was advertised as a teen-age fashion model. However, this wholesome all-American girl owes her inspiration to a blond German bombshell, Bild Lilli. Lilli was the character of a cartoon drawn by Reinhard Beuthien for the German tabloid "Bild;" she was a frankly a floozy and gold digger, pictured in skin-tight dresses or various states of undress. The cartoon was so popular, in 1955 Bild introduced a Lilli doll. Originally she was marketed to adults, mainly to men as a type of mascot or gag gift. However, little girls, bored with child and baby dolls, were drawn to the curvaceous Lilli and soon German companies began producing additional outfits and accessories. In 1964 Mattel acquired the rights to Lilli, ceasing production of Barbie's fräulein predecessor. 

This ravishing red-haired Barbie has a hairstyle known to collectors as "bubble cut." The bubble cut Barbies were produced from 1961 through 1967; this leggy lass is marked on her bottom "Barbie ® Pats. Pend. ©MCMLVIII by Mattel Inc.," indicating that she dates from 1961. Her hair color is know as "Titian" and she wears her original black and white swimsuit. Barbie comes with her vinyl carrying case that includes some clothing and accessories, including a "fur" stole, a tiny transistor radio, and a blue princess phone.

Midge, Barbie's best friend, was introduced in 1963 and produced in this straight-legged version until 1967. This Midge (full name Midge Hadley) has Titian hair and wears her original two-piece bathing suit.

And of course, there is Barbie's boyfriend, Ken (full name Kenneth Sean Carson). The first Ken doll, issued in 1961, had fuzzy flocked hair, but the following year he came with painted blond or brunette hair. This model was produced through 1968. Ken wears his original red swimming trunks, a red and white striped jacket with a white terry cloth collar, and cork sandals with red straps. Like Barbie, he has his own carrying case and some assorted clothing and accessories.

Barbie's little sister, Skipper, was introduced in 1964. This Skipper comes not only with her own carrying case with some assorted outfits and accessories. . . 

. . . she comes with her best friend Skooter, introduced the following year. 

Also introduced in 1965 was Ricky, sometime called Skipper's boyfriend. This Ricky retains his original blue swimming trunks, striped jacket with white terry cloth color, and cork sandals with red straps. Apparently, things between Skipper and Ricky didn't work out, because Ricky was produced for only two years. 

Come on Barbie, let's go party!

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Mixing it up. . .

 . . . is exactly what you will want to do with this wonderful whimsical vintage set of nesting mixing bowls from Pyrex.

Called "Cinderella," these nested mixing bowls with a handle or spout on each side were designed by John Philip Johnson and introduced in 1958. The nostalgic pattern featuring farm scenes is named "Butterprint" and was one of the first patterns printed on the Cinderella sets. It is also known among collectors as "Amish," "Farmer and Wife," "Buttercup," and "Rooster and Corn." In 1963, Pyrex added this turquoise color to its product line. Butterprint was discontinued in 1968.

Underneath the bowls carry the Pyrex trademark. Pyrex was established by Corning Inc. in 1915. Originally, Pyrex manufactured clear laboratory and kitchen glassware, but in the late 1930s and 1940s, introduced new product lines offering kitchenware, such as bowls and baking dishes, in opaque colored glass.

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

14015-4345

Splendid Screen from India

This exquisite vintage screen is from India. Intricately carved and hand painted on both sides, this wooden divider features scenes of courtly lovers and elaborately dressed men and women in colorful traditional costumes, bordered by delicate floral designs. The screen, from the trim on the painted clothing to the pierced work on the screen, is lavishly accented with gilt.

 

Although the tradition of miniature painting existed in India perhaps as early as the 7th century CE in illustrations of Buddhist scriptures, the style of painting on this superb screen reflects the influence of the Mughal dynasty. Ruling India from 1526 CE to 1857 CE, the Mughal period was established by Babur, a descendent of Genghis Khan. His son, Humayun, was forced into exile, but returned with the assistance of the Persian Shah. Influenced by his time in Persia, Humayun brought with him Persian miniature artists as part of his court. His son, Akbar, was able to consolidate the empire and established an atelier of over hundred painters. Over time, the Persian tradition melded with Indian influences, moving from chronicling the events of the Mughal courts to illustrating Hindu epics and history as artists migrated to other regions of India, establishing their own schools and styles. This fabulous folding screen is like having your own portable private gallery of traditional Indian art.

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

14799-60

Bedding Down. . .

 . . .which is what you do both figuratively and literally with this so-called Murphy bed. At first glance this handsome piece of vintage furniture appears to be a nice wood dresser.

It even has a pull-out bottom drawer.

However, open up the front panel and inside is concealed a folding bed. Although there were various types of fold-up bedsteads before, in the early 1900s William Lawrence Murphy received patents for a "disappearing bed." According to legend, Murphy wished to court a young lady, but was living in a single room apartment. At that time it would have been considered improper for a single man to invite a woman into his bedroom, so Murphy created his eponymous folding bed, thus converting his bedroom into a more proper parlor. Murphy beds became a popular space-saving device, either installed in a wall or hidden in a cabinet or dresser. In 1989, a federal appellate court held that because the term "Murphy Bed" had entered common usage, it was no longer eligible for trademark protection. Murphy or wall beds are still a popular option for small apartments and homes, often combined with other functions, such as shelving, storage or a home offce.

This example has nice art deco detailing on its handles.

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8402-6348