Chinese New Year: Year Of The Monkey

Celebrate Chinese New Year With Alfies- Year Of The Monkey

Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional luni-solar Chinese calendar. This year it lands on Monday 8th January, the year of the Monkey. It is also known as the Spring Festival, which is the literal translation of the modern Chinese name. Celebrations traditionally start on the evening preceding the first day and continue to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first calendar month.

The New Year festival is centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. Regional customs and traditions vary widely, traditionally the evening after Chinese New Year's Day is an occasion for families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. It is also traditional for every family to clean the house, to make way for good luck throughout the year. Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts with popular themes of good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity. Other traditional celebrations include firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat- Chinese Festival Of Lights Display

At Alfies we have a wide range of not only beautiful Asian antiques, but a wonderful array of animal themed collectables too, to suit your Chinese zodiac sign.

1860 'The Marmozettes' original print, available from Moe Heidarieh

A beautiful Chinese 1st Republic (1912-1920) double lidded pot for making soup, available from Horner Antiques

An unusual selection of 1920s silver marked monkey brooches, available from Zeeba Jewels

1860-1880 Buddha snuff scoop carved from cow bone, available from Horner Antiques

A wonderful carved wood African Monkey Dance mask, one of a pair, from Cameroun, available from The Moderns

Hand painted Imari vase made in Canton, c1825, available from Horner Antiques

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Remember Remember Alfies November

"Remember remember the 5th of November!"

This weekend Britain will commemorate the failed gunpowder plot with traditional bonfires and firework displays all over the country in memory of, mainly, Guy Fawkes who was caught attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

Gunpowder Plot, 1605

The tradition remembers the failure of the Gunpowder Plot that took in place November 1605 under the Houses of Parliament by a group of Roman Catholic activists led by Warwickshire-born Robert Catesby, who planned to assassinate King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. 

When Protestant King James I acceded Queen Elizabeth, English Catholics had hoped that the persecution they had felt for the last 45 years would finally end, but when this didn't happen the conspirators plotted to assassinate the King and his ministers during the state opening at the Houses of Parliament. The plotters secured the lease to an undercroft beneath the House of Lords, and Fawkes was placed in charge of 36 barrels of gunpowder that they smuggled in a cellar below the House of Lords. It has been discovered this was enough to destroy not only the entire building but anything within a 500 metre radius.

The scheme started to fall apart when an anonymous letter sent to William Parker, the 4th Baron Monteagle, warned him not to avoid the House of Lords. This lead to the authorities searching Westminster Palace during the early hours of 5 November, and found Fawkes guarding the explosives. Over the next few days, he was questioned and tortured, and eventually he broke. Immediately before his execution on 31 January, Fawkes jumped from the scaffold where he was to be hanged and broke his neck, thus avoiding the agony of the mutilation that followed.

Today the tradition of searching Parliament before a state opening still takes place every November since 1928, by the Yeomen of the Guard, and they are still armed with lanterns.

Fawkes has become synonymous with the Gunpowder Plot, the failure of which has been commemorated in Britain since 5 November 1605. His effigy is traditionally burned on a bonfire, commonly accompanied by a fireworks display.

Take a look at our range of dazzling sparklers, good enough to "Oooohhh!" and "Aaaahhh!" at.

A selection of 1960s silver charms, offered by Good Time Antiques

A stunning collection of 1970s Scottish glass paper weights, offered by Robert McKoy Fine Arts

A hand coloured print over 100 years old, perhaps unloading the barrels of gunpowder, offered by Moe Heidarieh

A dazzling burst of colour that looks like spinning catherine wheels. A 20th century Murano glass mirror, offered by Sambataro

Beautiful fireworks style Scottish glass paper weights, offered by Gloria Sinclair

A pearl and 18ct gold brooch/pendant. An orange Burmese pendant and a stunning amethyst 18ct gold pendant, all offered by Pars Jewellery

A gorgeous 1920s winter coat, offered by Tin Tin Collectables

A fun vintage silk scarf depicting a rainy day, 'Raining Cats And Dogs', offered by Tin Tin Collectables

Alfies: Curiouser And Curiouser

"Have I gone mad?"

"I'm afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are."
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland 

Roller-printed cotton chintz - Alice in Wonderland
C F A Voysey, 1920

If you love the fantastic world of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland then a visit to the V&A Museum of Childhood is a must. Delve into a new perspective of Carroll's heroine, Alice, in a beautiful display marking the 150th anniversary of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The exhibition shows how Alice and her Wonderland friends have been embraced and adapted all across the world, and how she has inspired many of the most celebrated designers, stylists and photographers. Follow Alice's evolution through a collection of garments, photographs and rare editions along with a brand new commission by pattern-cutter Josie Smith of Roksanda. The exhibition is on display until Sunday, 1 November.

Alfies is a Wonderland in its own right, here you will find many beautiful curiosities to fall in love with, and be sure to visit our Roof Top Kitchen for your own Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

24 hour large pocket watch in nickle silver, 1910. Offered by Moe Heidarieh.

A fabulous 'Queen of Hearts' early Victorian garnet and gold heart shaped ring. Offered by Gareth Brooks

French 1920s 'Looking Glass' wall mirror. Offered by Nadine Okker

1930s Disney House teapot. Offered by Beth

Dodo, the wonderful mascot for our vintage posters, paintings and prints dealer Dodo

French Art Deco peach and blue glass wall clock mirror. Offered by Nadine Okker

A trio of 1950s 9ct gold crown charms, with enamel and semi precious stones. Offered by Good Time Antiques

Pair of French brass early 20th century griffin candle stick holders. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques

A pair of 1930s French chemist 'Drink Me' bottles. Offered by Travers Antiques

 

Flutter By Alfies

Butterflies have always been considered creatures of beauty from their majestically designed wings to their grace in flight. The ‘Sensational Butterflies’ exhibition at the Natural History Museum allows you to appreciate these beautiful creatures up close this summer. Today the sight of a butterfly is a lot less common than it used to be. This exhibition gives people the chance to see a large number of different species in one place and learn about one of nature’s amazing life cycles.

In the world of fashion, butterflies remain an object of beauty. You may have seen jewellery shaped like a butterfly but have you ever wondered if it is a real butterfly? Butterfly wing jewellery has been a popular form of accessory since the 1920s. The style involves painting exquisite pieces of art on the reverse side of a butterfly wing. The most desirable images include crinoline ladies, children, or birds, as well as tropical paradise scenes. They are most commonly found on bracelets, brooches, pins, and pendants. You can grab yourself a small pendant for less than £10 at a vintage market!

Lovely Butterfly Wing Pendant Charm featured on Ebay 

Many of the vintage pieces here at Alfies also let butterflies take center stage. Butterfly jewellery, such as brooches and pendants, is a prominent feature with vibrant colours and interesting shapes. Butterfly prints can also be spotted, some even featuring real butterflies, just like the butterfly wing jewellery.  

Below is a selection of a few of the lovely butterfly pieces Alfies has to offer to make your summer just that little bit more colourful: 

20th Century Butterfly and Floral Print Cup and Saucer Sets. Offered by Beth Adams and Horner Antiques

Genuine Antique Butterfly Print, over 100 Years Old. Offered by Moe Heidarieh

Victorian Butterfly Brooch with Stunning Floral Detailing. Offered by Naneen Brooks

Beautiful Vintage Enamel Butterfly Brooch. Offered by June Victor  

'Boys Catching Butterflies' Vintage Plate. Offered by Horner Antiques

Butterfly and Floral Print Bow Octagonal Dish c.1760. Offered by Janes Antiques