The Allure and Power of Red

In the last month everyone has come out talking about the power of red and its historical connection to powerful people. From Vogue to the BBC, journalism and fashion are enthralled by the multitude interpretations of red. Red is associated with passion and glamour. Red stimulates energy and increases enthusiasm, it encourages confidence and action, promotes ambition and determination, it gives a sense of protection from fears and anxieties, and it even makes the colours around it more interesting. In fact Yves Saint Laurent called red the ‘colour of love, battle, death, and warmth’.

Bohemian drinking tumbler, c1890 - 1900. Offered by Nadine Okker

Deco armchair re-upholstered in red velvet, offered by Thirteen Upholstery Workshop

In a context depended world, red has a turbulent history. A monarch on the way to his or her coronation wears parliamentary robes which are red. Indian brides traditionally wear red. In ancient Rome, brides wore a veil of flame red colour over their hair that draped them completely as a deterrent to evil spirits entering the bride through a simple muslin veil.

By the fourteenth century brilliant scarlet was the most esteemed colour in Europe. In Tudor England, successive legislations were passed that governed the wearing of expensive clothing and red was one of the colours most strictly controlled. It was a case of having the status to demonstrate wealth, and since red was the most expensive of dyes both legislation and etiquette influenced its production, use and cultural associations.

1960s Harrods felt hat, offered by June Victor

 

A decorative French glass 1950s unsigned bowl, offered by Horner Antiques

1950s convex mirror, offered by Andrew Martin

Before synthetic dyes were developed red was achieved in various ways using natural products. Of those the most expensive was kermes vermilio, a dye of ancient origin made from the desiccated bodies of insects which produced a very luscious crimson. It was imported from Spain and Portugal into England and was subject to heavy import duties. Kermes dyes were replaced by Mexican cochineal following the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Paintings of Henry VIII portray him in his Parliament robes of velvet crimson. Those around him who had the greatest power at court could wear scarlet, while the sumptuary laws permitted a person of sufficient rank to dress their entire household in the expensive colours they were entitled to wear themselves. Red military uniforms became common up to the nineteenth century.

1960s telephone, offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

1960s lamp, offered by Good Time Antiques

Whatever the cultural and historical associations of red might be, studies show that red pills are more effective stimulants than blue pills for example. And there’s growing scientific research into colour and how it affects our minds. Human vision is trichromatic and it’s billions of years of evolution long before our ancestors had anything that resembled an eye. Colour doesn’t really exist but it’s how our eyes interpret a set of wavelengths.

Whatever the historical, scientific or social interpretations of red here at Alfies we embrace the allure and power of red with a selection of some sumptuous object just to start you thinking!
Enjoy discovering many more.

 Written by Titika Malkogeorgou

Sherlock Holmes - The Man Who Never Lived And Will Never Die

This Autumn the Museum of London welcomes an exciting new exhibition, London's first major display since 1951, exploring the mind of the world's most famous fictional detective; Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. The display is open to the public from 17th October to 12th April 2015 and will investigate such questions as who is Sherlock Holmes, and why to this day, does he still hold such a fascination with audiences all across the world. Visitors will be transported to the real Victorian London through film, photography, paintings and original artifacts where guests will be able to explore the mind of London's Sherlock Holmes.

Here at Alfies we love the stories of Conan Doyle's detective and have a large variety of Victorian and Edwardian pieces that would fit perfectly amongst Holmes' mysterious world. Here is just a small selection of what's to offer;

A selection of Edwardian leather bound books and French 1900s binoculars. Offered by Travers Antiques.

1915 Pipe offered by Goldsmith & Perris

A selection of 19th century magnifying glasses by Goldsmith & Perris

A view of Attic London who specialise in Victorian and Edwardian furniture and interiors.

1880s French potion bottles, offered by Travers Antiques

1890s nose pincher spectacles offered by Good Time Antiques

A selection of vintage and antique books available from East West Antiques

A Sherlock Holmes Toby jug offered by East West Antiques

1870s antique handcuffs offered by Good Time Antiques

Asking searching questions such as who is Sherlock Holmes, and why does he still conjure up such enduring fascination, this major exhibition – London’s first on the detective since 1951 – will explore how Sherlock Holmes has transcended literature onto stage and screen and continues to attract huge audiences to this day. - See more at: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/exhibitions-displays/sherlock-holmes/#sthash.coHuQ65o.dpuf

This year the Museum of London welcomes an exciting new exhibition, delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective; Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

Asking searching questions such as who is Sherlock Holmes, and why does he still conjure up such enduring fascination, this major exhibition – London’s first on the detective since 1951 – will explore how Sherlock Holmes has transcended literature onto stage and screen and continues to attract huge audiences to this day.

Going beyond film and fiction, visitors to the museum will be transported to the real Victorian London – the backdrop for many of Conan Doyle’s stories. Through early film, photography, paintings and original artefacts, the exhibition will recreate the atmosphere of Sherlock’s London, with visitors able to envisage the places that the detective visited and imagine they are standing on the pavement of the Strand watching the horse drawn traffic pass by. - See more at: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/exhibitions-displays/sherlock-holmes/#sthash.coHuQ65o.dpuf

This year the Museum of London welcomes an exciting new exhibition, delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective; Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

Asking searching questions such as who is Sherlock Holmes, and why does he still conjure up such enduring fascination, this major exhibition – London’s first on the detective since 1951 – will explore how Sherlock Holmes has transcended literature onto stage and screen and continues to attract huge audiences to this day.

Going beyond film and fiction, visitors to the museum will be transported to the real Victorian London – the backdrop for many of Conan Doyle’s stories. Through early film, photography, paintings and original artefacts, the exhibition will recreate the atmosphere of Sherlock’s London, with visitors able to envisage the places that the detective visited and imagine they are standing on the pavement of the Strand watching the horse drawn traffic pass by. - See more at: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/exhibitions-displays/sherlock-holmes/#sthash.coHuQ65o.dpuf

This year the Museum of London welcomes an exciting new exhibition, delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective; Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

Asking searching questions such as who is Sherlock Holmes, and why does he still conjure up such enduring fascination, this major exhibition – London’s first on the detective since 1951 – will explore how Sherlock Holmes has transcended literature onto stage and screen and continues to attract huge audiences to this day.

Going beyond film and fiction, visitors to the museum will be transported to the real Victorian London – the backdrop for many of Conan Doyle’s stories. Through early film, photography, paintings and original artefacts, the exhibition will recreate the atmosphere of Sherlock’s London, with visitors able to envisage the places that the detective visited and imagine they are standing on the pavement of the Strand watching the horse drawn traffic pass by. - See more at: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/exhibitions-displays/sherlock-holmes/#sthash.coHuQ65o.dpuf

This year the Museum of London welcomes an exciting new exhibition, delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective; Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

Asking searching questions such as who is Sherlock Holmes, and why does he still conjure up such enduring fascination, this major exhibition – London’s first on the detective since 1951 – will explore how Sherlock Holmes has transcended literature onto stage and screen and continues to attract huge audiences to this day.

Going beyond film and fiction, visitors to the museum will be transported to the real Victorian London – the backdrop for many of Conan Doyle’s stories. Through early film, photography, paintings and original artefacts, the exhibition will recreate the atmosphere of Sherlock’s London, with visitors able to envisage the places that the detective visited and imagine they are standing on the pavement of the Strand watching the horse drawn traffic pass by. - See more at: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/exhibitions-displays/sherlock-holmes/#sthash.coHuQ65o.dpuf

BFI London Film Festival

The BFI London Film Festival (8 - 19 October) is the UK's largest public film event, screening more than 300 features, documentaries and shorts from almost 50 countries. There are also industry events, public forums, education events, lectures, masterclasses and Q&As with film-makers and film talent. View what's on here.

At Alfies you will find a great selection of vintage film related items, here's a round-up of what's on offer..

1950s French cinema seats available in rows of two or three row of three shown in the pictures, offered by Christopher Hall

A pair of chrome miniature film lights, offered by Steven Lazarus

1960s-70s Large illuminated circus 3D film show glasses advertising sign neon, offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

Original 1940s glamorous Hollywood starlet style plaster head, with designers stamp, offered by Andrew Martin

1950s original film posters, offered by Moe Heidarieh

1960s & 1970s original film posters, offered by Moe Heidarieh

A row of two 1950s French birch cinema seats with original brass number plates, offered by Christopher Hall