Western Art, Western Decor ~ Welcome to BuffaloTraderOnline.com!

In the history of American travel, vintage trunks not were not only used as a functional item for clothing and valuables, they also became an implication of status and recognition. The earliest American trunks date back to the 1600′s and were made of primitive materials such as wood and hides. As the craftsmanship of trunk making developed, finer leathers began to cover the entire wooden frame and were adorned with brass tacks. Linings such as printed papers and old newspapers became the norm as well. In the mid 1800′s ‘gold rush’ trunks became popular. These trunks had iron bands with large brass studs or ‘buttons,’ resembling gold nuggets. Styles such as the ‘stagecoach’ trunk or the ‘Jenny Lind,’ named after the famous singer who toured in America in the 1850′s, became largely popular.

We all know that today’s travel has changed significantly in every way including luggage which is now designed for practicality and much less so for ornamentation. However, Buffalo Trader Online offers the perfect opportunity to recapture essence of vintage travel. Their Antique Wood and Silver Embossed Decorative Trunks come in a set of 2, are the perfect sizes and will add a nostalgic whimsy to any decor. Place on a the floor beside a lounge chair to hold magazines, on a bookcase amidst family photos or even prop open in your bathroom as a holding mechanism for guest towels and bath tissue!

Commonly and inaccurately called ‘buffalo’, the American Bison is a member of the bovine family. Once symbolic of the Great Plains, these formidable beasts are vegetarians, grazing mostly on plains grasses, shrubs, herbs and twigs. Standing up to 6.5 feet tall and weighing up to a ton, bison are still relatively quick and agile. They can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour!

Bison were critical to the survival of the Indian societies during the 19th century. Over 50 million were killed for their lean meat and thick fur, which is so well insulated that snow can settle on its back without melting. The bison population has rebounded and today over 200,000 live on preserves and ranches where they are raised for their delicious meat. It has been indicated that bison may one day replace the cow industry.

Denny Karchner pays tribute to this noble mammal in his piece titled “Honoring the Dead” Karchner brilliantly captures the somber pride of a bison returning to the bones of a ‘fallen’ relative to pay respects. This oil depicts the essence of the reverence we share with our fellow beings…

The Italians are known for a variety of amazing cultural donations in the realms of culinary, music and most notably, fine art. Artists like Giotto, Donatello and da Vinci all hailed from the great city of Florence, Italy as did our beloved Michelangelo. In the autumn of 1504, Florentines were witness to what is known today as one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance. Michelangelo’s David finally reached its destination at the Piazza della Signoria after some four days of carefully attentive transporting from the artist’s studio.

The 17-foot depiction of King David of the Old Testament was sculpted entirely of a solid piece of marble. Although spectacular, solid marble was a more costly option for artists. Fortunately, for Florentine artists, one of the most well known alabaster quarries lay accessible to their city. True alabaster is a soft, fine-grained form of gypsum that is easily carved. Ranging in colors from whites to pinks, alabaster is slightly translucent and can be made as hard as marble when subjected to intense heat. This was also used to make vases and lamp bases as well as statues and decorative interiors. Because of the fine quality of the alabaster mined in this region, Italian alabaster is also known as ‘Florentine marble’.

Buffalo Trader Online is proud to offer some beautifully crafted pieces inspired by Florentine alabaster. Meaning “bright” in Italian, the Splendore collection by Arte Italica features handmade glass pieces trimmed in extraordinary pewter beading. Enjoy the Splendore Pewter Bead Rimmed Round Platter as a stunning service piece or relish in the simplicity of the Splendore Glass and Pewter Vase. For those who prefer to observe fine Italian craftsmanship on a more daily basis, BTO also offers the entire Splendore collection for bath!

Who can resist the temptation of a sweet, creamy, chocolate delight such as fudge? It has become somewhat common to see this concoction being made as its spread out on long marble surfaces and beaten to the place where its decadence tickles buds of taste and delights the senses of all ages and walks of life! Fudge, fudge, FUDGE!

The key to delicious, smooth fudge is controlling the sugar solution crystallization process. The success of the final texture of this crystalline candy is imperative. Getting the crystals to form at just the right time via temperature moderation is necessary for the end result of creamy, smooth morsels of decadence.

So, it’s up there with homemade ice cream and southern fried kettle cakes, but where did fudge originate? Thought to be a “fudged” batch of caramels, this delicious treat, as we know it today is thought to be an American invention. According to the written archives of Emelyn Battersby Hatridge, fudge was sold for 40 cents a pound at a local grocery store in Baltimore in 1886. It was later documented in 1888 that 30 lbs of fudge was made for the Vasser College Senior Auction. Because of its success, Smith and Wellesley Schools developed their own fudge variations for school fundraisers.

But you don’t have to travel to Baltimore to enjoy some of the best fudge! Buffalo Trader Online offers an amazing variety of Pennsylvanian Dutch flavors from Fudge Factory. Ranging from chocolate peanut butter to dark chocolate walnut, it is available in quantities of 1/2 to 1 pound and is made of the simplest, all natural ingredients. With this many flavors and quantity options offered by Buffalo Trader Online, this fudge is perfect for gifts, to have handy as an easy desert when entertaining or for your personal indulgence… ENJOY!

This story comes from a customer in Juno Beach, FL. Brian was so pleased with the outcome of his refurbished desk, he sent us pictures showing the Faux Deer Antler Drawer Handles in use that he purchased from Buffalo Trader Online:

Here are a couple of pics.
This desk was found on the side of the road.
It had five layers of paint.
It is solid mahogany with dove tail drawers.

What a great find!!!!

Thanks,
Brian

Mahogany desk before restoration	Mahogany desk after restoration
Mahogany desk after restoration	Mahogany desk after restoration

So what’s the deal with cowboy boots? Why do men and women alike seek these well-crafted icons? Because, they’re as classic as the LBD (or little black dress to those who don’t speak “text-speak”), the navy suit and the pearl necklace. According to our old friend Webster, ‘classic’ is defined as; “serving as a standard of excellence; historically memorable and characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year.” To be sure, the cowboy boot can be incredibly elaborate in design or just simply because of an exotic material used such as ostrich or stingray. But here’s how it all started…

Thanks to old school Hollywood stars such as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, these utilitarian shoes dating back to the era of Genghis Kahn took on a very glamorous update in the 1950′s. Legend has it that Mr. Kahn wore very distinctive boots with a wooden heel. The English riding boot came into existence in the 17th – 18th century. The recent riding boot was actually named after Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. The Wellington boot, as it was coined, was constructed in a four-piece format much like the modern cowboy ‘kicks.’

Today’s cowboy boots are as individual as those who wear them. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 – $600 for a good quality mass-produced boot. But custom boots can run as much as $50,000 plus! The well-known like George W. have also contributed to the cowboy boot’s timelessness. And like a good pair of blue jeans, boots just get better with time. To pay homage to the cowboy boot, Buffalo Trader Online offers tremendous gifts such as the Western Chrome Plated Wine Bottle Stoppers and the Silver Concho Wine Bottle Stoppers. These western-themed functional make wonderful host/hostess gifts or a very masculine idea for that special cowboy in your life!

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
For old lang syne, my dear
for old lang syne.
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for old lang syne!

Here’s to ringing in another new year! It’s the international symbol allowing all of us to have a fresh start. Resolutions will be made surrounding fitness regimes and kicking addictions. But a favorite resolution is one of committing to spend more quality time with family and friends. What better way than to invite them to your home for an evening to “take a cup of kindness yet?”

Entertaining doesn’t have to be complicated. Any gathering can appear as if you’ve spent copious amounts of time and energy in preparation provided you have the correct tools. Buffalo Trader Onlineis proud to offer the stunning Arte Italica Taverna Bottle Caddy! This handmade pewter caddy not only epitomizes the quality of Italian artisans, but also offers a beautiful functionality dressing up your favorite bottle of sparkling water or chilled wine.

Your guests will also feel as if you’ve rolled out the red carpet for them as they enjoy the beverage from the impressive Arte Italica Animale Wine Glasses. Served with a simple ecru cocktail napkin, these glass and Italian pewter dynamos are sure to be the topic of conversation!

Holiday traditions amongst early American cowboys were pretty well established by the mid 1800′s. Although Christmas was celebrated with humble fare, the traditions of caroling, gift-giving and community were integral to the holiday celebration. It is recorded that soldiers would carol at their remote outposts while roasting venison over open fires. Many families would feast on preserved fruits, plum pudding, baked beans seasoned with salt pork and molasses and of course fresh breads.

Gifts were generally hand-made; corn husk dolls, carved wooden toys, embroidered linens, just to list a few. Decorations around the house consisted of hand-strung berries, pinecones, paper and popcorn. The Christmas tree was an added luxury for those who had homes large enough to accommodate them and whose wooded areas had trees to spare for something as lavish as mere ‘decoration’. Cookie dough ornaments may have donned these branches and also served as late night snacks for excited little ones.

Buffalo Trader Online offers everything necessary to have your very own Cowboy Christmas. Find decorating ideas from tree toppers to garlands. Be the talk of the street with the picturesque Woodland Visions of Christmas Wreath on your front door! The Lighted Holiday Berry Christmas Garland would do any mantel justice or use it over a doorway to enhance a party mood. Buffalo Trader Online has a tremendous candle selection as well! Keep several of these handy as gifts for your neighbors, teachers, or leave one on your front porch for your favorite mailman. It’ll surely brighten up his day!

Belt buckles can be traced as far back as the 2nd Century BC in Asia. Buckles were created of solid gold and were worn over long tunics, indicating status among the nomadic Chinese. Early American Cowboys however, didn’t usually wear belts that required a buckle. In fact, the original cowboy mostly wore suspenders. Credit is given to 16th Century Italian blacksmith, Tomaso Kellioni for inventing a buckle used to secure belts, boots and shoes. And thanks to Hollywood, the Western belt buckle, as we know it today became popular in the early 1920′s with the release of the ever so famous ‘Cowboy movies’.

Belt buckles were worn to denote a person’s profession or status, such as fireman, police or even military rank or specialty. Rodeo Cowboys are known to have the most dramatic and ornate buckles. But today, buckles have an integral place in fashion. Everyone from the former President of the United States to professional golfers are donning brilliant buckles.

Have some fun with you home décor! Buffalo Trader’s Western Cowboy Belt Buckle Switch Cover will add unexpected whimsy to any room in your home. Reasonably priced, it would make a fun stocking stuffer, too!

Several theories exist regarding how the name “Ten-Gallon Hat” came into existence. Most commonly known is the belief that the hat was large enough to hold 10 gallons of water (it has been proven since then that the hat can actually only hold about 3 quarts). Although the exact beginning of this term cannot be traced, it is more likely that the term came from the vaqueros of Mexico with whom American cowboys rode during early cattle ranching days.

It is theorized that the mispronunciation of the Spanish word ‘galon’ is how this all came to fruition. Galloon was a woven strand of metallic thread used to decorate the traditional Mexican sombrero. The amount of galloon or ‘galon’ on a sombrero indicated the quality of the hat. So, loosely translated in early American terms, a ‘ten-gallon hat’ was a hat of very high quality.

Several other hats were available for the working cowboy. In the mid-1860′s, Mr. John B. Stetson of Philadelphia designed a wide-brimmed hat after a brief respite in Colorado. His first hat manufactured was known as “The Boss of the Plains”. The Boss had a 4-inch wide brim and a 5-inch tall crown. From there the cowboy hat was modified based on demands of rodeo and working cowboys alike.

Buffalo Trader’s own Denny Karchner, brilliantly captures the cowboy essence which cannot be completed without the proper hat. He’s done so in his pieces, Alan Baker as Buffalo Bill, and Charles Bolin-Quickdraw Artist Oil Painting. These pieces exemplify how the proper hat ‘tops off’ a cowboy’s image!