New Dealer: April Antiques

Stand F015 on the first floor has undergone a wonderful transformation. April Antiques have created a beautiful display of vintage and collectable pieces specialising in costume jewellery. Ranging from the 1930s up to the 1990s April has a large selection of jewellery by designers such as Chanel, Christan Dior, Christian Lacroix, Miriam Haskell, Stanley Hagler and YSL etc.

April Antiques

We asked April a few questions...

What first interested you in vintage costume jewellery?

I have always been a fan of Chanel and decided to look for more vintage pieces to collect. My collection then grew from this and I started collecting other designers such as YSL and Stanley Hagler. I prefer the quality and skill taken to make vintage jewellery to the modern pieces.

How did you start dealing in costume jewellery?

I first opened up an online business and opened in Alfies November 2014.

Do you have a favourite designer?

Yes, my favourite designer is Chanel, although Dior make beautiful pieces too.

Do you see any trends in costume jewellery.

Yes, at the moment there is a lot of interest in Stanley Hagler, once described as the "Picasso" of jewellery.

Do you have a personal favourite from your collection?

Yes my favourite is a beautiful necklace called Augustine by the Gripoix family who made pieces for Chanel. 

Necklace by the Gripoix Family

 

 Here a just a few from April's collection that she has to offer; 

Gold Buddha earrings. Gold plated with green glass.

Chalcedony glass bracelet. A beautifully ornate blue glass and gold plated bracelet, with faux pearls.

 Egyptian revival brooch. Stunning Neiger brooch with red bead glass. Czech.

A stunning vintage multi-coloured jewelled glass brooch, gold plated.

April Antiques 

Stand: F015 at Alfies Antique Market

Phone: 07429 103 678

Email: yuting19860118@hotmail.com

Website: http://aprilantique.com/

We would like to remind you all, the last day of trading at Alfies this year will be Wednesday 24 December 10am until 4pm. We will re-open in the New Year, Friday January 2, from 10am until 6pm as usual.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas and New Year!

Alfies Christmas Shopping Party 2014

Last week, December 4th, we celebrated the much anticipated annual Alfies Christmas Shopping Party. Everyone was in the festive mood and the hustle and bustle of customers emitted an air of excitement.

We would like to thank all our guests for attending and making it such a dynamic night, plus a special thanks to the dealers and everyone who provided their services:

Roof Top Kitchen
The RTK provided the scrumptious canapés and festive drinks which went down very well with everyone! You can check their specials on Facebook and take a look at the mouth watering delights they have on offer. The Roof Top Kitchen is located on the third floor of Alfies and is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am 'til 6pm.

Jason Lee Howlett - Musical Entertainment
Jason sang his way through vintage Christmas classics with a dash of Motown, his set was so energetic and lively he even managed to get everyone up and dancing toward the end of the night! Be sure to follow him on Instagram and Facebook!

Keely Hunter - Hat-Making Workshop  
Keely Hunter’s paper hat-making workshop went down a storm! Keely's work combines innovative techniques with unique materials to create hats that can only be defined as wearable modernity. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

St John's Hospice - Gift Wrapping Service
Big thanks to St John's Hospice who offered their services on the night. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

Last but not least, special thanks to the tarot card reader who very kindly extended her reading slots due to popular demand!

Jason Lee Howlett with dealer Nadine Okker

The delicious canapés from the Roof Top Kitchen

Alfies guests

Dealers festive decorations

Customers and Wesley of W & L Antiques

Keely Hunter's hat-making workshop

Jason Lee Howlett

Guests in the Roof Top Kitchen

Liz of Dodo Posters

Dancing the night away!

Nursery Days, by Angela Lynne. Inspired Childrenswear from Tin Tin Collectables and June Victor.

Angela Lynne, an avid collector of children's clothes from the 1890s onward, has this week released a beautiful book inspired by the quality and craftsmanship of children's clothing from bygone eras. In particular the book focuses on the romance of what Lynne describes as the, "Christopher Robin (1920s) to Prince Charles (1950s) period," when muted colours and luxury materials were still heavily present in children's clothing shops, many of which have since ceased trading. Although her collection started with just clothing, it has since evolved into rattles, toys, books, cribs and prams; meaning she now has a permanently laid out day and night nursery, as well as a large clothes room at her grand home in Norfolk.

Angela's passion is such that she sketches as well as collects these adorable items, and as you will see in the book, her lovely illustrations could have stepped straight out of a Winnie the Poo book, featuring the aforementioned Christopher Robin.

An example of one of Angela Lynne's illustrations, on children's coats.

The children of this era, "had their hair cut at Harrods, the clothes they wore were of the most beautiful cut, colour and quality," describes Lynne.

Angela is a customer of our very own Tin Tin Collectables and June Victor at Alfies and has spent many years visiting Leslie and June's stands here, to add to her collection. Many of their items are featured in 'Nursery Days.'

You can find a copy of the book on Amazon.

The cover of 'Nursery Days' by Angela Lynne.

Boy's winter suit from the late 1940s.

Cream silk girl's dress, from the 1930s.

Girl's blue smock dress, from the 1930s.

Handmade Edwardian children's toys.

Handmade Edwardian children's toys.

1920s coat and matching hat in navy wool.
Pink cotton smocked dress, also from the 1920s.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is traditionally a day for families and friends primarily in the United States and Canada to get together for a special meal. This occasion has been an annual holiday since 1863 to give thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

On this important day, with loved ones around the Thanksgiving table, it's necessary for the host to have their best tableware laid out. At Alfies, there is no shortage of exquisite tableware on offer. Below is a selection of items that would make your table the best dressed of them all!

Early 20th century Sheffield silver dessert cutlery boxed set with pearl handles and silver bands, in original case. 1902.
Offered by Goldsmith & Perris

1893 Fruit set, Sheffield silver plate with pearl handles by Charles James, offered by Goldsmith & Perris

French St. Louis Amber white wine glasses, offered by Nadine Okker

Vintage silver plate leaf dish, offered by Louise Verber Antiques

French decanter and two glasses, c1895, offered by Beth

Cake / sandwich double wooden centre piece, offered by W & L Antiques

9" Linthorpe bowl in green by Christopher Dresser. Offered by Janes Antiques

Selection of  American 1950s cocktail shakers & ice bowls, offered by Robinson Antiques

Animals in Jewellery: A Selection at Alfies

Animals have been an inspiration to artists and craftsmen for hundreds of years, and this is no different in the world of jewellery design. Animals are not only admired from an aesthetic point of view, but can also be symbolic: the butterfly and dragonfly symbolise a quiet or late blooming beauty, the lion stands for strength; the elephant wisdom and, in Ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle offered hope for rebirth.
 
The importance of the animal as a theme in jewellery has varied throughout the ages. In Victorian times, animals were particularly fashionable in jewellery and were often used as love tokens. Women would use jewelled animals and insects such as snakes, lizards, butterflies and dragonflies to adorn the lace on a hat or veil. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, on the other hand, the frog was a popular love token as it was an emblem for great fecundity.
More than anything else, when used in jewellery the animal has become a way of expressing personality and was the precursor for modern costume jewellery.
 
At Alfies many of our dealers have a fantastic selection of animal jewellery. Here are our top picks:

Selection of monkey brooches, all 1920s, silver with marcasite or paste. Zeeba Jewels - Sormeh Ouji at Alfies.

Trio of 1960s silver charms: rhino, moveable crocodile, lucky pig. All from Good Time Antiques at Alfies

1960s silver charms: 9ct penguin charm, horse family, Shi-Tzu dog. Good Time Antiques at Alfies.

1900-1930s silver and gold brooches, parrot with paste stone and goose with enamel detail. Zeeba Jewels - Sormeh Ouji at Alfies.

 

1900-1920s silver and paste lizard brooches. Zeeba Jewels - Sormeh Ouji at Alfies.

 

Party In Vintage Style

The festive season is fast approaching and it's time to decide on that special outfit for the Christmas party. Think glamour, sparkle and a touch of razzle-dazzle. At Alfies you will find a glittering selection of vintage chic evening wear that will ensure you look the belle of the ball!

A beautiful 1920s gold hand beaded evening dress. Offered by Velvet Atelier.

A gorgeous matching 1960s American gold mesh bag. Offered by Tony Durante

 

A beautifully detailed 1950s midnight blue full circle prom dress with beaded skirt. Offered by Carole Collier

An elegant 1950s diamante evening bag. Offered by Tin Tin Collectables

To complete any party outfit you need to add some sparkle, with either a statement piece of jewellery or a dazzling clutch bag. Here is just a small selection of what Alfies has to offer.

Gorgeous 1960s German pair of paste earrings. Offered by Tony Durante

Stunning 1960s Austrian silver and pink evening bag. Offered by Tony Durante

A 1950s crystal pink amethyst paste evening bag/compact case with golden interior containing a lipstick holder, mirror and card case. Offered by Tony Durante

Golden interior of the 1950s crystal pink amethyst evening compact bag

A trio of 1940s - 1950s brooches. Offered by Tony Durante

 

A stunning 1940s signed Miriam Haskell necklace and bracelet set with pearls and gilded metal. Offered by Tony Durante

 A pair of beautiful beaded and crystal 1950s Austrian evening bags with hand embroidered tapestry and limoge plaques. Offered by Carole Collier

Sneak Peek

On the first floor of Alfies at the top of the wooden staircase you will discover an exciting new shop freshly painted in cheerful yellow and brilliant white with beautiful contrasting furniture and homewares. This stand will be taken over by Nadine Okker.
  
Nadine Okker will move from unit F015 over to this bright space where she will display her luxurious collection of 18th - 20th century lighting, bronze, glass, porcelain, chairs and mirrors.

Although Nadine is currently in the process of moving, we are anticipating the final outcome. We can already see it's coming together rather nicely......  

Watch this space!

Nadine Okker
Stand F040 - 45

Contact:  
Nadine Okker
Tel: 07740 367 072 Email: nadine.dobrik@wanadoo.fr