The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and, as the song goes, there are "12 days of Christmas". Alfies is never short of the perfect gift, and with a wide selection of items to choose from - ranging from fine jewellery to homewares, and books to vintage fashion - all at a varied price, we can assure you that you'll find more than enough gifts for your stocking.

"On The First Day Of Christmas..."

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me; A vibrant 1930s Cartlonware pear sugar shaker, with a 1900 German porcelain partridge.  

On the second; a fabulous 1960s Villeroy & Boch dove plate. 

On the third; a stunning 1930s Japanese gold lacquer cocktail set. 

On the fourth; a striking 1960s Japanese lacquer box with colly bird.

Clockwise from top left: 1930s shaker from Beth; 1960s Villeroy & Boch plate from Robinson Antiques; 1960s Japanese lacquer box from Horner Antiques; 1930s cocktail shaker set from Horner Antiques

"Five Gold Rings..."

Always a firm favourite, on the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: a stunning set of golden family crest signet rings.
On the sixth: a beautiful chrome six headed Luminart floor lamp in the shape of geese/swans.
On the seventh; a wonderful pair of carved wood golden swans.
On the eighth; a 1970s silver plate ballerina brooch.

Clockwise from top left: 5 gold signet rings from Kieron Reilly; Vintage chrome six headed Luminart floor lamp from Eclectic & Contemporary; 1970s silver plate ballerina brooch and 1920s carved wooden swans, set of 3, both from Gloria Sinclair.

The Final Countdown

On the ninth: a 1930s 'Drummer Dyes' poster.
On the tenth: a wonderful antique print 'The Bag Piper'.
On the eleventh: a 1950s gold compact depicting a rock and roll dancing couple, by Stratton.
And on the twelfth day my true love sent to me: a wonderful pair of gentleman's riding boots fit for leaping.

Clockwise from top left: 1930s 'Drummer Dyes' poster from Dodo; Genuine antique 'The Bag Piper' print from Moe Heidarieh; A Pair of 1900s gentleman's riding boots from Tin Tin Collectables; 1950s gold rock and roll compact by Stratton from June Victor.

Check out the Alfies Christmas gift guide in store or online here.

 

A Cockney Knees Up! London Cocktail Week 5-11 October

This year's London Cocktail Week, will run from Monday, 5 October to Sunday, 11 October. Cocktail connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice with over 250 of the finest bars in London all taking part, all have been cherry-picked for their exceptional liqueurs and welcoming atmospheres.

Image and logo from London Cocktail Week

Throughout the week, London's most favoured drinking spots will be opening their doors and providing cocktail tours for gin lovers, whiskey sippers and champagne poppers alike, in much loved areas such as Shoreditch, Soho, Notting Hill, Mayfair, Covent Garden and Clapham, to name just a few.

At Alfies, we're quite partial to a fancy beverage ourselves and not only can we provide everything you would need to host a grand cocktail party, including shakers, glasses, crystal ice buckets and more, our dealers also have a beautiful range of stunning vintage dresses and accessories to complete the party. 

See below a selection of our finest offerings available from our dealers.

Assorted brass pineapple ice buckets, 1950s - 1960s. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques.

Beautiful 1930s Whitefriars glass set. Engraved with Art Deco stylised musicians by Barnaby Powell and William Hogan. Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary.

1930s Dunhill travelling cocktail set. Offered by Goldsmith & Perris.

Selection of Art Deco cocktail accessories and silverware. Offered by Robinson Antiques.

A late 1940s to early 1950s signed French champagne holder. Provenance Taillevant restaurant, Paris. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques

Bohemian liqueur glasses, tray and decanter. Offered by Nadine Okker.

Victorian to Art Deco champagne coupes and cocktail glasses. Offered by Robinson Antiques.

A superb quality Bohemian cut glass vase with gold plated rim. Offered by Travers Antiques

For any cocktail party, a dazzling statement piece of jewellery or crystal encrusted bag is a must!

Art Deco platinum sapphire and diamond ring. Offered by Kieron Reilly.

This 1940s cocktail ring is guaranteed to cause a stir. Studded with diamonds and gold bands. Offered by Pari's Jewellery

1940s brown felt embroidered and sequinned tilt cocktail hat. Betsy-co-Ed U.S.A. Offered by Carole Collier.

  A 1950s crystal pink amethyst paste evening bag/compact case and an orange Art Deco Bakelite clutch bag. Both offered by Tony Durante.

Time For Tea

Afternoon tea, the perfect British pass time. If ever there's a rainy day, put the kettle on. Any problem big or small - a nice cup of tea will make it better. Tea has been a firm favourite with us Brits since the 18th century, and we have the world's greatest tea consumption per capita! To celebrate our love for the beloved hot beverage, this week - Monday 10th to Sunday 16th August - it is National Afternoon Tea Week.

National Afternoon Tea Week. Image by Afternoontea.co.uk

Between 1720 and 1750 the imports of tea to Britain through the British East India Company more than quadrupled, making it a highly valuable item to trade. Again, between 1872 and 1884 the supply of tea to the British Empire increased with the expansion of the railway to the east. From 1884 onwards, due to it's growing popularity, the prices dropped and the drink thus became a choice not only for the upper classes but for people of all backgrounds to enjoy. London became the centre of the international tea trade and with this came a large increase in the demand for porcelain from tea cups, pots and saucers.

At Alfies we have a number of dealers who specialise in fine china, oriental porcelain, silver teapots and everything in between. Here are just a few we have to offer.

A 1930s Sadlers car teapot. Offered by Beth

1930s Japanese tea set, decorated with Moriage detailing. Offered by Horner Antiques

1920s boxed and signed Murano gilt glass cups and saucers decorated with cherries. Offered by Nadine Okker

1790 English silver teapot, with one of the rarest marks on English silver,
Peter and Jonathan Bateman, sons of Hester Bateman. Offered by Janes Antiques

A selection of Art Deco Shelley trio sets. Offered by Beth

1930s Wade Heath Disney house teapot. Offered by Beth

1970s Japanese blue and white shallow teapot. Offered by Horner Antiques

1935 Art Deco platinum ring Royal Doulton tea set, casino pattern. Offered by Robinson Antiques

If this has whetted your appetite for a delicious afternoon tea, then be sure to visit our fantastic Roof Top Kitchen who offer a range of superb teas, coffees and homemade cakes.

Red

Eye catching red.

Red dress from Dandy Dolls, Spanish wall decal from Ian Broughton, clutch bag from Tin Tin Collectables, red chairs from Modo Italia, Red stool from Anouska Hunter Antiques, Brooch from Gareth Brooks, Red jug from Robinson Antiques, Dice Lamp and vase from Renato, Hankerchief purse from W & L Antiques, Dansette record player from Ian Broughton.

A truly amazing find...

If you, like us, are fascinated by beautiful stories, lucky finds, amazing talent and a bit of mystery then the following will no doubt capture you as much as us.

Over the past weeks we have come across a certain lady more than once - newspapers mentioned her, TV programmes did brief features about her, blogs have picked up this fantastic story, and friends circulated her name - Vivian Maier.



If you were to google this name now, you would find an array of links about this talented woman who sadly passed away in 2009 before she could witness her popularity in the art world. Then again, she might have never been interested in acquiring fame, countless of her negatives were still undeveloped in rolls when John Maloof bought thousands of them at an auction in Chicago. Little did he guess what he had come across - some of the best street photography.




Vivian Maier lived in a suburb of Chicago working as a nanny, she must have traveled quite a bit as many of her photographs captured moments witnessed in foreign countries. She had an incredible eye for photography, all her images seem to speak volumes about the moment they were taken. Many of her belongings were in storage and had to be auctioned off as she was ill; she sadly passed away a day before John Maloof decided to try and contact her, unfortunately he only found her obituary and so many questions were left unanswered.

Her boxes also contained several tape recordings; on one of them she said the following about leaving this life :

''Well I suppose nothing lasts forever. We have to make room for other people. It's a wheel. You get on, you have to go to the end. And then somebody has the same opportunity to go to the end and so on. And somebody else takes their place.''

We feel that she has given us a beautiful, lasting gift and that she has achieved so much while it was her 'turn'. What a shame she didn't live to realise just how happy her photography made others.

For more information on Vivian Maier and her photography see here, here, here and here

Today also sees the opening of an exhibition of London street photography at the Museum of London which we cannot wait to see.



Inspired by Vivian Maier and her stunning testaments of the past we have had a look around Alfies and found some lovely items.

Great images of times gone by can be found at Daumieres on the Second Floor

French marble Art Deco frame, English bakelite Art Deco frame & English WW2 Halifax aeroplane with ashtray from Robinson Antiques on the Ground Floor

A selection of vintage luggage and clothing from Tin Tin Collectibles on the Ground and First Floor

Our take on architecture photography.
An architectural model of an unrealised project by Sir Basil Spence from the 1970s
available from Anouska Hunter Antiques on the Second Floor

Fathers' Day - 20th June

We thought we'd give you plenty of warning about Fathers' Day this year. The temptation is to leave any present buying until the last minute, but you know you'll end up getting your Dad a CD or book!

So we've had a wander round Alfies for you and picked out some highlights that might appeal to your Pops. Something that will be a bit different and show him what he means to you...

If your Dad's a dapper dresser then how about Hell to Pay's collection of men's vintage. The prices are reduced so you are sure to pick up something that is not only suave and sophisticated but bargainous to boot.

Robinson Antiques is a good place to stop off with a fine selection of Art Deco accessories, including silverplate cocktailware, cufflinks and lighters.

While at Goldsmith & Perris, browse for a Fathers' Day gift amongst everything from hip-flasks to champagne buckets, matchstrikers to magnifying glasses and card-holders to paper knives.

Our jewellery dealers have a great range of cufflinks to choose from, whether looking for some 1970s cocktail classics, or more elegant Edwardian styles.

But if you are really stuck, or your Dad is a tricky one to choose for, there are always Alfies Gift Certificates. A sure-fire hit...

Happy Fathers' Day Dads!

Alfies Christmas Gift Ideas (Part 3)

This is the third in a series of posts to help you find the best presents at Alfies! This one tackles the most difficult aspect of present buying...the ones for the men.

Buying presents for the men in your life is notoriously difficult, so here are a few ideas that might see you through the festive season without a sock in sight!

A 1930s Rometti Cherry Liquer Set from Modo Italia



One set of a large selection of Art Deco Drinking Glasses from Robinson Antiques.



For the dapper gentleman, a pair of 9ct gold Edwardian cufflinks, £45, from Peter & Naneen Brooks




1950s Danish Leather Swivel Chair from Stephen Lazarus


For something extra, extra special,
a 1960s writing desk designed by Marcel Brauer from Francesca Martire.

Alfies also has gift certificates that make a great alternative if you still can't make up your mind! They can be spent anywhere in Alfies, are valid for a whole year and come in denominations of £10, £20, and £50.

Alfies is open right up until 4pm on Christmas Eve, great for some last minute shopping!

Christmas Dinner!

Christmas dinner is a highlight for most peoples Christmas Day. Here at Alfies there are some wonderful items to help enhance your feast!

To start we have this beautiful pair of silver napkin rings from a wide selection, from Goldsmith and Perris.

Silver napkin rings, Birmingham, 1942.

These beautiful wine glasses are from Linetta Grecco and would make a perfect addition to any table.

Set of 6 crystal white wine glasses.

Below is a selection of Gerald Benney Viners Cutlery, this stainless steel cutlery is from Robinson Antiques.

1960's stainless steel cutlery, Studio Range

This bakelite and white metal teapot from Connie Speight is perfect for having a nice cup of tea after your delicious dinner, matched with a bit of Christmas cake, of course!

Art Deco bakelite and white metal teapot circa 1930.