Castaside

This month we are saying a fond farewell to well established dealer in Alfies called David Smith. David has been in Alfies since 1997 and we are all sad to see him go!

His stock includes theatre ephemera, posters, programmes, brochures, leaflets and flyers, a real treasure trove of a stand!

Below i have picked some interesting examples of programmes.

"Cinderella" at the London Palladium


Programme from Embassy Theatre, Peterborough

"Berenice" by Jean Racine at The Savoy Theatre



"Goody Two Shoes" Pantomine


"Anything Goes" at Prince Edward Theatre.

St George's Day

23rd of April is St George's Day, which gave us a good excuse to have a look at all the wonderful English pieces our dealers have on offer at Alfies.

English solid silver egg set, Sheffield 1907
Janes Antiques


An English composition frame with swept detailing. Circa 1880
William Campbell Fine Frames and Framing


1940s/1950s English oak and leather desk
Bent Ply


A beautifully shaped and detailed English clutch with red and white beading
Tony Durante


A rare 18th Century English mirror with a white frame
Stephen Lazarus

These are just a few of the examples of English craftsmanship and design at Alfies. They are definitely something to celebrate!

Alfies' 1st Nostalgia Event this Saturday!

We are very excited here at Alfies about the first of our series of Nostalgia Events this Saturday, please see below the programme of events!

11am - Reading by Bethany
A Collection of Short Poems by
Emily Bronte, John Keats & Oscar Wilde

11.30am - Talk by Peter Brooks
'Some Interesting Facts and A Few
Popular Fallacies About Jewellery'

12pm - 3pm - Lunch

3pm - 5pm - Afternoon Tea

3:30pm - Guitar Duet from The Kings Cross Hot Club

4pm - Reading from Bethany
'Tender is the Night' by F.Scott Fitzgerald
& 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien


PLUS: Music throughout the day with Guitar Duets from
The Kings Cross Hot Club around the market
&
DJ Kid Krupa playing fabulous Hot Jazz and Swing from
the 1920's and 30's in the Rooftop Restaurant

All events will be held in Alfies' Rooftop Restaurant.

You can still RSVP to info@alfiesantiques.com or call 020 7723 6066 to receive our lovely event directory for you to print out and bring along on Saturday.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Alfies Nostalgia Saturdays

On Saturday 17th April, Alfies Antique Market will begin its series of nostalgia events, celebrating all things vintage, with the glamorous and elegant era of the pre-1920s to 1930s.

Customers will be taken back in time and given the opportunity to see highlights from our dealers’ collections, enjoy music and readings from the period, learn more about the era, partake in tea at the Rooftop Restaurant and much more! RSVP to receive the full programme of vintage activities.

Alfies’ Nostalgia Saturdays are a wonderful chance to explore the market in a different way. Our special pre-1920s to 1930s directory will be on hand to guide you. Keep your eyes on our blog for details of how to download this or RSVP to info@alfiesantiques.com to receive your free copy!

For some beautiful pre 1920s-1930s items available at Alfies visit our Flickr page.

The Nostalgia Saturdays continue in May with the 1940s-1950s and June with the 1960s-1970s. So join Alfies and its dealers on the 17th of April at the start of our vintage celebration.

Quilts & Textiles

For all you make do and menders, crafters and textile enthusiasts, have you heard about an exciting exhibition that is on at the V&A at the moment? Quilts: 1700 - 2010 is the V&A's first ever exhibition of British made quilts!

Rajah Quilt, Made by convicts on board HMS Rajah, 1841, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

With an innovative approach to the display there will be 65 quilts on show from the V&A's extensive collection as well as special loans from around the country and abroad.

Right to Life, by Grayson Perry, 1998.

Coverlet (detail), Ann West, U.K. 1820.

Modern quilts from Grayson Perry and Tracy Emin as well as specially commissioned pieces from Sue Stockwell and Caren Garfen will remind us how relevant quilts and craft in general is today.

It looks to be a very beautiful and informative exhibition that will give you some great inspiration for your own projects as well as being a lovely way to spend the Easter weekend! The exhibition runs until the 4th July 2010.

For even more inspiration after your visit to the V&A, head to Duncan Clarke of Adire African Textiles at Alfies. Duncan sources exceptional museum quality pieces that map the vintage textile traditions of sub-Saharan Africa.

Asafo Flag from Adire African Textiles

Two items that always catch my eye from Adire African Textiles are the Asafo flags and the Ewe Cloths.

Asfato flags, also known as 'frankaa' are made and used by the Fante people of coastal Ghana. The men's 'military' companies parade these flags on festive occasions and the imagery used on these colourful flags represents the wealth and power of the company as well as challenging their rivals, usually through traditional proverbs. Older flags can be identified by their 'battle scars' from the length of time hung outside in all weathers and parades. Flags with no marks or damage are quite often copies made for tourists!

Asafo Flag from Adire African Textiles

Ewe Kente cloths are absolutely stunning with each cloth showing exceptional skill of both craftmanship from the Ewe weavers of Ghana and in the extensive range of the styles created. No wonder they are the most highly prized pieces of African textiles by collectors worldwide! The colours and patterns are simply incredible! These were traditionally commissioned by a man or woman as cloth to wear but now could be treasured as a wall hanging, bedspread, or simply just brought out now and again to admire!

Examples of Ewe Cloths (above and below)

Adire African Textiles have a great website and blog where you can learn in depth about these fantastic and historical pieces and traditions.

All photos from the Quilts: 1700 - 2010 exhibition were taken from the V&A Website.