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Replicated East Asian furniture has distinctive style

In design, imitation often leads to innovation. Trying to recreate something you’ve seen others make can take some out-of-the-box thinking to find substitutes for inaccessible materials or fill in the gaps of unknown steps. Antique furniture is filled with examples, especially when foreign influence is involved. By the 18th century, trade with East Asia brought new ideas for furniture, like the use of bamboo and lacquer, to Europe, and subsequently to America. Inspired by these new styles, and motivated by the need for inexpensive accessible versions, Western artisans created ...

Recent reads

Here are few of my favorite recent reads. Library staff would be happy to help you place requests on these or any other titles. If you’d like to place your own request, visit www.newulmlibrary.org and choose Library Catalog. Lyla’s boyfriend, Nico, is a struggling actor who believes that an appearance on a new reality dating competition could offer him the exposure he needs to get his big break. Lyla reluctantly agrees to appear on the show with him. At least it will be a free vacation to an island paradise. She’ll find a way to get eliminated early, and Nico can go on to win the ...

Ceramic charger fits into art nouveau movement

With its soft colors, flower motifs and asymmetrical twining lines, this ceramic charger, made circa 1900, fits right into the art nouveau movement. However, when it sold for $2,500 at Auctions at Showplace, it was described as “Jugendstil.” German for “young style,” named after the ...

The dog days of summer

Did you know the term “Dog Days” refers to the heat and humidity of the mid-summer months of July and August here in the Northern Hemisphere? Most sources agree that Dog Days occur in mid-to-late summer but the exact dates can vary from source to source because they are tied to the dawn rising of the star Sirius, also known as the Dog star, and they change over time. The Old Farmer’s Almanac considers the Dog Days to begin on July 3 and end on August 11, which is typically the worst of the summer’s heat. I always picture a dog laying out on the front porch or on cold tiles of the ...

An ice cream vendor brings delight in any language

The third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. Most of us would agree that ice cream is an indispensable part of summer. Who wouldn’t recognize the jingle of an ice cream truck? This ice cream vendor toy, which sold for $1,800 at Bertoia Auctions, has a slightly different, but still ...

Library partnerships

Summer is going by quickly, and the library has had some great events as part of our annual children’s Summer Reading Program, along with some exciting events for adults. We’re very grateful for the opportunity we have to connect with individuals and organizations in our area to bring services and activities to our community. As a community gathering place, the library is uniquely placed to be able to bring together resources and opportunities provided by a wide variety of partners. Some of the most important partnerships we have are with other libraries! The Traverse des Sioux ...