Diamonds are Forever!

Did you know April's birthstone is the diamond? It is one of the most popular gemstones, commonly used to adorn jewellery for many years. Most diamonds used as gemstones are transparent, or known as white diamonds. A perfect diamond is considered to be absolutely transparent with no hue, or color.

Diamonds in rings can be traced as far back as the Roman times, they were highly sought-after due to the supernatural powers they ascribed to it, such as warding off poison, insanity and fear.

A marketing campaign orchestrated by De Beers dating back to the 1930s, promoted the diamond engagement ring, exposing it to a wider audience.

Below is a stunning selection of diamond jewellery we have on offer at Alfies..

 Diamond and aquamarine 18ct gold ring, offered by Gareth Brooks

French single stone diamond ring on platinum, c1920s, offered by Kieron Rielly

Edwardian pearl diamond sapphire platinum brooch, offered by Pari's Jewellery

Early 20th century 18ct yellow gold ring set with three diamonds, offered by Pars Jewellery

18ct Gold, pearl & diamond brooch, offered by Sheila Cameron

Striking Art Deco ring with onyx and a central diamond, offered by Zeeba Jewels

Art Deco

As the German art school Bauhaus (active years 1919-1933) saw the potential in bringing crafts together under one roof to form a unifying umbrella between different art expressions, the art deco style affected not only fashion and jewellery made at the time, but everything from furniture and kitchenware to product design and transport. Art deco took its form in the 1920s and stayed influential throughout the 1930s.

At the time Europe was recovering from war and therefore designs were made in cheaper materials such as Bakelite, an early plastic, which opened up new possibilities when it came to colour and shape. But art deco was not just something made more affordable through machine production, as it also offered exclusive handcrafted art.

Art deco is inspired by geometric shapes, bright colours, modern materials, nature motifs; archaeological discoveries also drew an interest towards early Egypt and Meso-America.

At Alfies you can find a comprehensive collection of items and collectables signed just that; art deco.

 

Alfies decorative facade is art deco 

  

An art deco lighter offered by Tony Durante

 

Ring offered by Pars Jewellery

  

Earrings offered by Pars Jewellery

 

Chair offered by Thirteen Interiors

  

Purse offered by Tony Durante

 

Cigaret holders made out of Bakelite offered by Tony Durante 

 

Bakelite collectables offered by The Originals

Easter Inspiration

Easter is just around the corner, we can not avoid the usual abundance of chocolate eggs and merchandise that emerge every year, but at Alfies you will find an alternative and unique selection of items that have inspired us this Easter.

1950s Seguso Murano Gold Leaf Casa, offered by Robinson Antiques

Easter bonnet with original bow, c1930s, offered by Carole Collier

Egg cruet set, c1905, offered by Goldsmith & Perris

A selection of Limoges trinket eggs, offered by Hayman & Hayman

EASTER OPENING TIMES

18th April, Good Friday – Bank Holiday – CLOSED
19th April, Saturday – OPEN
20th April, Sunday – CLOSED AS USUAL
21st April, Easter Monday – CLOSED

HAPPY EASTER FROM ALFIES!

Door Handles

Who would think door handles would be considered an object of beauty? The entry door handles designed between the 1930s to the 1970s were particularly eye catching and sculptured.

The following door handles are a selection offered by The Moderns.

1950s Italian Pair of Door Handles - Bronze cast, brass and hammered black steel

1970s Bronze Door Handle - Rectangular shaped handle with an expressive abstract surface

1950s Italian Pair of Door Handles - Abstract design door handles assembled in Bronze cast, brass and hammered black steel

Art Deco Door Handles - Door handles with a cascading geometric design. Cast in brass, attached by a copper tubular hand grip in the middle

1970s Bronze Oval Door Handle - Bronze cast with mottled surface texture

1950s Organic Brass Door Handles - A pair of free form artistic door handles with a honey comb effect