Happy Halloween!

As ever Alfies is a hub of interesting things to see - and Halloween is no exception!

Traditionally known as All Hallows Eve, Halloween marks the start of the Hallowmas season, which includes All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The entire season is dedicated to remembering the dead.

Rooted in Pagan religion, the nature of this holiday is much darker than the rest of the modern calendar and whilst the celebration has become much more playful in its mood over the years, the original occult symbolism that illustrates the holiday remains largely unchanged.

Here are some of our favorite themed items in store... 

A pair of 1980s paste star and moon earrings. Offered by Gloria Sinclair

An oriental door knocker/handle c1900s. Offered by Good Time Antiques

A contemporary one of a kind mirror, offered by Andrew at Diplomat Treasure International

A 1950s German cat vase. Offered by Renato

A 1980s paste serpent brooch. Offered by Gloria Sinclair

A 1950s silver 'Pan' charm. Offered by Good Time Antiques

An Antique Halloween

We're getting close to Halloween weekend and here at Alfies we're getting into the spooky spirit of this ancient Pagan festival!

Also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, Halloween was originally the Gaelic festival of Samhain, which was a harvest festival celebrating the last crops gathered in for the winter. The pagans also believed it was a time when the walls between our world and the next became thin and porous, allowing spirits to pass through.  As for the custom of wearing costumes, it was traditionally believed that the souls of the dead wandered among us until All Saints' Day, and 'All Hallows' Eve' gave the dead one last opportunity to take revenge on their enemies before moving on to the next world. To avoid being recognised by the ghosts who might seek them out, people would wear masks and costumes to disguise themselves.

Alfies has a whole host of ghoulish goodies to keep you entertained this Halloween - and Payday! - weekend. Here are a few of our favourites:

'Brain Drain', by Peter Holland, 1966. A mechanism on the back allows red liquid to be inserted to give the impression of blood spewing from the head. From Mark Eaton.

French horse skull From Mark Eaton.

Victoria Frances 20th Century vampire print. From John Cserny Fine Arts.

Vintage mannequin hand,  from Mark Eaton.

Lead Martin Brothers style jug. From Good Time Antiques. 

Victorian brass devil figural inkwell and pen stand, with hinged lid. From Good Time Antiques. 

Set of four 1940s cranberry wine glasses, from W&L Antiques. 

One of a selection of 1960s silver charms. From Good Time Antiques. 

Sphinx enamel frog brooch. From Gloria Sinclair.

Need a break from shopping? What could be better than a spooky stop off at Alfies' Roof Top Kitchen and terrace?

Trick or Treat?

Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. Its origins are more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in, meaning "end of summer") when people would light bonfires and wear masked costumes to ward off souls of the dead, including ghosts, goblins and witches, whom they believed returned to mingle with the living.

The custom of trick or treating has several origins. During Samhain, the Druids believed that the dead would play tricks on people and cause panic and destruction, therefore they were appeased with offerings of food and drink. It is suggested that trick or treating evolved from a tradition whereby people impersonated the spirits, or the souls of the dead, and received offerings on their behalf. The "trick" is usually an idle threat to perform mischief on the homeowners if no treat is given to them.

At Alfies we can assure you there are no tricks, only frightfully delightful treats! Set the scene for Halloween with these creepy curiosities our dealers have on offer...

1930s brass Barclays Bank shop front eagle emblem, offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

GHOSTS - Stories of the Supernatural, by Elliott O'Donnell, offered by Atomium

Vintage black cat vase, offered by Renato

Apothecary’s morphine bottle, offered by Atomium

1930s paste spider brooches, offered by Carole Collier

1970s celluloid and brass studded scarab brooch, offered by Tony Durante

French 1930s orange silk and black lace with enamel clasp evening bag, offered by Tony Durante

1930s large black velvet hat, offered by Tony Durante

1940s silver & marcasite cat brooch, offered by Connie Speight

Happy Halloween!

Hallowe'en!

Halloween with its rich history and uncanny nature is, of course, a great favourite at Alfies! But while we are fully committed to fake blood and plastic fangs, the real treat lies in the endless possibilities of costume choice! Anything goes, and to us anything means any period and any effort counts!

From the Victorian Gothic Party - think mad woman in the attic, candle light and cameo brooches - to swank Murder Mystery themed outfits, there isn't an ensemble we can't accessorize! We're buzzing with excitement over period pieces that complete costumes this weekend and wardrobes all year 'round!

Gold Cameo Brooche from Linda Antiques

1950's Pierre Balmain Cloche Hat from Tin Tin Collectables

Austrian Handbag with Silver Enamel Clasp fom Connie Speight

Browse through our broad range of Vintage clothes from different time periods and look out for fantastic Halloween gems hidden between a choice of unique costume opportunities!

Theatrical Cape from Persiflage

And to put you in the right mood, check out The Girl Can't Help It's bewitching window displays!

The Girl Can't Help It

The Girl Can't Help It

A happy and haunted Hallowe'en from all of us at Alfies!!

Halloween at Alfies Antique Market

Halloween has filled the shops with giant pumpkins, crazy costumes, chocolate eye-balls and flashing devil forks. While here at Alfies we've fallen in love with some things that you might fancy for Halloween, but that you will definitely want to use for more than just the one day of ghouls and ghosties...

Art Deco Evening Bag (with antelope and black silk, a solid silver and onyx clasp), £250
Sheila Cameron

Contemporary Black Diamond Skeleton Ring
Pari's Jewellery

1950s Black Sequin Backless Showgown (with long train)
The Girl Can't Help It

1930s Decorative Table Lamp ( incorporating a black cat sitting on a book), £60
Renato

'Coro' Gilded Metal and Marcasite Spider Brooch
Tony Durante

Happy Halloween from everyone at Alfies Antique Market (cue evil laughter...)