Virtual Stroll Through Villa Finale: Upstairs Hall, Blue Room, Yellow Room
Guests to Villa Finale could view much of Walter Mathis' collection related to the Americas, including his native Texas, upstairs.
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Second Floor Hallway
While Villa Finale's first floor contains many of its European collections, the second floor houses items from the Americas. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
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Cuzco School Paintings
These paintings from Peru are located near the top of the second floor landing.
Nuestra Senora De PomataVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Nuestra Senora De Pomata
This Cuzco school painting - oil on board - shows Nuestra Senora De Pomata. She is situated in the center with two cherubs in the top corner.
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Mexican Retablos
The wall over an 1880s Hammond piano contains Mathis' retablo collection.
Retablo: God the FatherVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Retablo: God the Father
A Spanish Colonial icon depicting God the Father supporting a crucified Jesus.
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Victorian Cabinet
This cabinet contains Villa Finale's Centennial Glass collection.
Centennial Glass: Liberty BellVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Centennial Glass: Liberty Bell
An American Centennial Glass money bank in the form of the Liberty bell. Embossed with "a penny saved is a penny earned bank" and all other Liberty Bell script.
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Table-top display cabinet
Under the mirror is a small table-top display cabinet with items of Bell Silver. The company was established by Mathis' great grandfather.
Bell Silver Ladle by Bell, SamuelVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Silver Ladle
A sterling "Fiddle" pattern mustard ladle with a gold wash manufactured by the Samuel Bell Jewelry Company.
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Blue Room
The Blue Room contains some of Mathis' earliest collections. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
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Lithographs: Mexican-American War
The Blue Room contains twelve of these lithographs from a portfolio by Carl Nebel.
Battle of Buena Vista, 23 February 1847 by Nebel, CarlVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Battle of Buena Vista, 23 February 1847
Lithograph, Carl Nebel, New York, published in "The War Between the United States and Mexico" (Philadelphia: D. Appleton & Company 1851) by George Wilkins Kendall. Credits "C. Nebel fecit" and "Bayot lith." printed in sepia and hand colored by Lemercier in Paris.
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Shaving Mugs
This is one of Mathis' earliest collections.
German Shaving MugVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
German Shaving Mug
A porcelain shaving mug made in Germany with three figures of little boys playing sports.
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Time Pieces
Another one of Mathis' earliest collections.
Swiss Metal Glass ClockVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Swiss Metal Glass Clock
Glass and gilt-metal desk clock, early 20th century. The clock is modelled as a large bull's eye pocketwatch. The clock's face is in black and white with two puttis and labeled "Exclusif". It is labeled as an 8 day clock and also on the face is written "SWISS MADE/ BREVET."
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Music Box
Villa Finale's collection contains several music machines.
Swiss Victorian Music BoxVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Swiss Victorian Music Box
Interior is fitted with two figures that animate when music is played. The figures each hold a metal mallet in both hands and strike bells along with each of the songs played. The box plays a total of eight songs, all traditional Scottish folk pieces.
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Yellow Room
This room contains an eclectic assemblage of artifacts that have an old southern feel. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
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Brass figure
A semi-erotic brass figure by Carl Kaube.
Austrian Erotic Brass Figure by Kauba, CarlVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Austrian Brass Figure
An Austrian brass and metal erotic figure group signed by Carl Kaube. It is in the form of a reclining woman on a bear pelt with hinged clasp and mechanized standing movement.
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Micro-mosaics
A collection of micro-mosaics from the Vatican. More are located on the fireplace mantel.
Micro-mosaic, St. Peter's Square by Vatican Art StudioVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Micro-mosaic of St. Peter's Square
Produced by the Vatican Studio Workshop established by Pope Gregory XIII. Initially, these pieces were given away as gifts to visiting clergy and other dignitaries. However, having proved popular, they began to be sold to travelers on the Grand Tour of Europe.
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Imari bowl
One of a collection of Japanese barber's bowls located in the room.
Japanese Imari Barber's Bowl (1780) by UnknownVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Japanese Imari Barber's Bowl
Japanese export Imari porcelain barber's bowl. Sticker on the bottom of the bowl, "Henry Stern Antiques / New Orleans / Japanese export porcelain shaving bowl 1780."
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Staffordshire figues
A collection of Staffordshire figures also known as "flat backs."
Staffordshire of Ben Frankling MislabeledVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Staffordshire of Ben Franklin (Mislabeled)
Staffordshire figure of "George Washington," c. 1840. The figure is labeled "Washington" but is of Benjamin Franklin. Staffordshire is best known for its figures of somber King Charles Spaniels, often placed in pairs on mantles in affluent English and American country homes.
