Thursday 21 December 2017

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Christmas is fast approaching! For those of you who tend to leave the gift hunt until the last minute, we've put together a Christmas gift edit to inspire you.

Alfies is the perfect place to spend your day; we have a plethora of eclectic and unique treasures - you'll find something to suit everyone! Whether you're looking for a showstopping gift, something sentimental or a stocking filler, discover the most extraordinary one-of-a-kind gifts here. You can even treat yourself afterwards to a nice hot beverage and cake at the Roof Top Kitchen.

We are open right up until Saturday 23 December, 10am-6pm. 

Murano glass ash tray c1960. £35. Offered by Dream Retro.


Pair of vintage decanters. Offered by W & L Antiques.


Perrier poster, 1977. £450. Offered by Dodo Posters.


Piero Fornasetti ‘Instrumenti’ Box, c1950. £395. Offered by Cupio Gallery.
Hexagonal table. Can be grouped together to form a larger table and also used individually. More available. £150. Offered by Angela Ball


Vintage cocktail shaker. Offered by Goldsmith & Perris

Gold Victorian acorn earrings. Offered by Gareth Brooks.


Riihimaki glass vase, 1970s, Finnish. Offered by Robinson Antiques.


Alfies will be closed Sunday 24th December. Reopening Tuesday 2nd January 2018.

We wish all our customers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Friday 15 December 2017

Piero Fornasetti

Piero Fornasetti was an Italian designer of the 20th Century who worked prolifically and some say obsessively throughout his lifetime, having created more than 11,000 items in his career and more than 500 variations of the same face.





Whilst being talented in many areas including painting, sculpting, engraving and interior decorating, the Fornasetti style that is famous today is a very distinct one. Fornasetti is known for his witty figurative illustrations, surreal tweaks to the otherwise mundane, and often whimsical nature. Designs are often black and white with lots of shading, occasionally with a splash block colour or accents of gold or silver. 

Common themes among his designs include astrology, mythology, architecture and of course Lina Cavalieri, the opera singer whose face he fell in love with. Possibly some of Pieros most recognisable work, he went on to use Lina's face in at least 500 designs including depictions of her as a goddess, as animals and even sporting a moustache in one, combining all his original inspirations with his muse.

In recent months we have spotted a number of original Fornasetti designs around Alfies and here we show you some of our favourite...

A Fornasetti 'Farfalle' table lamp, 20th Century. Offered by Cupio Gallery

A Fornasetti Alsation umbrella stand, 20th Century. Offered by Cupio Gallery

A pair of Fornasetti 'cameo' table lamps, 20th Century. Offered by Cupio Gallery

A pair of Fornsetti ash trays in stands, 20th Century. Offered by Martin Rooney

A Fornasetti paperweight. Offered by Cupio Gallery

A Fornasetti dish, 20th Century. Offered by Cupio Gallery

A Fornasetti dish, 20th Century. Offered by Cupio Gallery

Thursday 7 December 2017

Gifts for Him

Are you shopping for a man who has everything? Men are notoriously tricky to buy for when they seem to own everything and need nothing. They aren't always vocal about what they want, and to make things worse, anything they have their eye on, they buy themselves. 

But do not fret, we have everything covered for you! Get inspired by our edit of mantiques at Alfies...

1950s submarine clock. Available from Good Time Antiques

Vintage Hamilton watch. Available from Moe Heidarieh

1950s table lighter decorated in playing card motif. Available from Dream Retro

Louis Vuitton leather attaché case, 1985. Available from Tin Tin Collectables Luggage

Jumo of Paris, black metal and brass lamp, c1960s, by Eillen Gray. Available from Travers Antiques

Gold and sapphire cufflinks. Available from Kieron Reilly

Vintage advertising sign for Les Portos Gibson, made in Brussels c1950s. Available from Travers Antiques

Vintage Georg Jensen cufflinks. Available from Gareth Brooks

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