Real Men Buy Mantiques...

This week there was an interesting article by Katrina Burroughs in the Telegraph titled "Forget antiques: the latest trend is mantiques".  Here at Alfies we did a bit of research, asked our twitter followers and spoke to some of our dealers who stock a more manly selection of antique goods to find out the word on the street. 

Tin Tin Collectables - First Floor at Alfies

At Alfies, Leslie Verrinder of Tin Tin Collectables has an eclectic collection perfectly suited for the discerning gentlemen.  His luggage and travel accessories shop on the first floor is full of canvas and leather trunks of all sizes, as well as a number of sporting goods including 1950s jockey weighing scales, a 1930s fishing reel with horn handle and a set of boxed gaming chips.  We asked Leslie for his thoughts on this new trend:

"For far too long now the antiques and collectables market has been dominated by a lean to the feminine - consider glass, china, lace, textiles and vintage fashion. Now the new kid on the block sees the rise of the MANTIQUE."

Gaming chips and metal trunk

Leslie has seen demand increase for large pieces of vintage luggage, steamer trunks and vintage sporting goods including croquet sets, crickets sets, and leather punchbags.

1950s jockey's weighing scales

"Originally, these items were the preserve of large shops and interior decorators including Ralph Lauren and Espirit, now they are finding their way into houses and apartments as furniture. A steamer trunk, for example, makes an excellent occasional or coffee table, complete with ample storage, and a home gym looks so much better with a leather working punch bag hanging in the corner."

The Boys Own Book of Outdoor Games & Pastimes, fishing reel and leather football

Mirror Master in the stand next door has some unusual desk accessories including an elephant shaped inkwell and pen holder and some interesting match holders in the style of a bookcase.

Stephen Lazarus - First Floor at Alfies

Peering through the window of Stephen Lazarus shop opposite your eyes take a moment to adjust to the jungle of industrial lighting that greets you.  Angle poise, tubular steel and imposing theatre lights are mixed with model airplanes and glove moulds from a French glove making factory.  A steel filing cabinet with contrasting brass handles sits proudly on a tall metal base, perfect for a modern man’s home office.

Industrial lighting from Stephen Lazarus

So it seems ‘mantiques’ are on the rise with many male collectors looking for interesting pieces to add to their homes.  Whether or not people like this catchy new term, the trend is here to stay and for those looking for original pieces Alfies and the other antique shops on Church Street are a great place to start!

See more great items on our Mantiques Pinterest board.