Trick or Treat?

Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. Its origins are more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in, meaning "end of summer") when people would light bonfires and wear masked costumes to ward off souls of the dead, including ghosts, goblins and witches, whom they believed returned to mingle with the living.

The custom of trick or treating has several origins. During Samhain, the Druids believed that the dead would play tricks on people and cause panic and destruction, therefore they were appeased with offerings of food and drink. It is suggested that trick or treating evolved from a tradition whereby people impersonated the spirits, or the souls of the dead, and received offerings on their behalf. The "trick" is usually an idle threat to perform mischief on the homeowners if no treat is given to them.

At Alfies we can assure you there are no tricks, only frightfully delightful treats! Set the scene for Halloween with these creepy curiosities our dealers have on offer...

1930s brass Barclays Bank shop front eagle emblem, offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

GHOSTS - Stories of the Supernatural, by Elliott O'Donnell, offered by Atomium

Vintage black cat vase, offered by Renato

Apothecary’s morphine bottle, offered by Atomium

1930s paste spider brooches, offered by Carole Collier

1970s celluloid and brass studded scarab brooch, offered by Tony Durante

French 1930s orange silk and black lace with enamel clasp evening bag, offered by Tony Durante

1930s large black velvet hat, offered by Tony Durante

1940s silver & marcasite cat brooch, offered by Connie Speight

Happy Halloween!

Alfies: Curiouser And Curiouser

"Have I gone mad?"

"I'm afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are."
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland 

Roller-printed cotton chintz - Alice in Wonderland
C F A Voysey, 1920

If you love the fantastic world of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland then a visit to the V&A Museum of Childhood is a must. Delve into a new perspective of Carroll's heroine, Alice, in a beautiful display marking the 150th anniversary of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The exhibition shows how Alice and her Wonderland friends have been embraced and adapted all across the world, and how she has inspired many of the most celebrated designers, stylists and photographers. Follow Alice's evolution through a collection of garments, photographs and rare editions along with a brand new commission by pattern-cutter Josie Smith of Roksanda. The exhibition is on display until Sunday, 1 November.

Alfies is a Wonderland in its own right, here you will find many beautiful curiosities to fall in love with, and be sure to visit our Roof Top Kitchen for your own Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

24 hour large pocket watch in nickle silver, 1910. Offered by Moe Heidarieh.

A fabulous 'Queen of Hearts' early Victorian garnet and gold heart shaped ring. Offered by Gareth Brooks

French 1920s 'Looking Glass' wall mirror. Offered by Nadine Okker

1930s Disney House teapot. Offered by Beth

Dodo, the wonderful mascot for our vintage posters, paintings and prints dealer Dodo

French Art Deco peach and blue glass wall clock mirror. Offered by Nadine Okker

A trio of 1950s 9ct gold crown charms, with enamel and semi precious stones. Offered by Good Time Antiques

Pair of French brass early 20th century griffin candle stick holders. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques

A pair of 1930s French chemist 'Drink Me' bottles. Offered by Travers Antiques

 

African Textiles: the Karun Thakar Collection

A passionate collector of African textiles since his childhood days, Karun Thakar has assembled one of the world's leading private collections. Thakar feels that 'African textiles remain under-researched', and in his new book 'African Textiles: the Karun Thakar Collection' he seeks to shed light on the context, technique and significance of the textile art of Africa's weaving cultures. Thakar's book features primarily narrow loom weavings from Ghana, Nigeria and other West African countries and the book illustrates the most important textiles from his renowned collection.

Alfies dealer and West African textile specialist, Duncan Clarke of Adire African Textiles, has contributed towards the book with in-depth essays on local textile heritage, as well as discussing the origin of the collection which consists of over 4,000 pieces.  Anyone interested in textiles or cultural history will find inspiration in this fascinating volume.

Each textile piece is dramatically photographed to highlight the
extraordinary colours, patterns and skill with which it was created.

The book provides a historical perspective that deepens our understanding of
 the importance of woven materials in the African tradition.

A number of previously unpublished styles are illustrated.

African Textiles: the Karun Thakar Collection is available to purchase now from all good bookstores and online.

Duncan Clarke 
Stand F013
Tel: 07710 791 497
adire@btinternet.com
http://www.adireafricantextiles.com 

Robert Welch

A new book on Robert Welch has just been released, 'Robert Welch - Design: Craft and Industry' during the London Design Fesival. Welch was an iconic silversmith during the 1950s and 1960s and specialised in silver, stainless steel and iron. A pioneer of British contemporary design during the post-war years, he was appointed consultant for Old Hall in 1955 and went on to open his own business in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. In 1960 he was even commissioned by the Orient Line to create a line of tableware and cutlery for the ocean liner Oriana.

His pieces are well known for their high quality and high gauge design and form, and have become highly collectable, particularly in Japan.

The Oriana Tea Set. Image courtesy of Modernaest.

Alfies dealer Robinson Antiques has a wonderful selection of  Robert Welch pieces, including his well-renowned Campden Collection, which features a coffee set, toast rack, tea strainer, sugar bowl and salt and pepper shakers. The Campden toast rack even won a Design Centre Award in 1957.

The Campden Collection - at Robinson Antiques' stand at Alfies Antique Market.

Campden Coffee Set, offered by Robinson Antiques.

Campden toast rack, tea strainer and salt and pepper shakers, offered by Robinson Antiques.

Robinson Antiques specialises in Antique and Vintage glasses & vases, Mid-Century pottery and Old Hall Steel.

Stand G077-78, G091-92 (ground floor)

Tel: 07955 085 723

A Cockney Knees Up! London Cocktail Week 5-11 October

This year's London Cocktail Week, will run from Monday, 5 October to Sunday, 11 October. Cocktail connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice with over 250 of the finest bars in London all taking part, all have been cherry-picked for their exceptional liqueurs and welcoming atmospheres.

Image and logo from London Cocktail Week

Throughout the week, London's most favoured drinking spots will be opening their doors and providing cocktail tours for gin lovers, whiskey sippers and champagne poppers alike, in much loved areas such as Shoreditch, Soho, Notting Hill, Mayfair, Covent Garden and Clapham, to name just a few.

At Alfies, we're quite partial to a fancy beverage ourselves and not only can we provide everything you would need to host a grand cocktail party, including shakers, glasses, crystal ice buckets and more, our dealers also have a beautiful range of stunning vintage dresses and accessories to complete the party. 

See below a selection of our finest offerings available from our dealers.

Assorted brass pineapple ice buckets, 1950s - 1960s. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques.

Beautiful 1930s Whitefriars glass set. Engraved with Art Deco stylised musicians by Barnaby Powell and William Hogan. Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary.

1930s Dunhill travelling cocktail set. Offered by Goldsmith & Perris.

Selection of Art Deco cocktail accessories and silverware. Offered by Robinson Antiques.

A late 1940s to early 1950s signed French champagne holder. Provenance Taillevant restaurant, Paris. Offered by Louise Verber Antiques

Bohemian liqueur glasses, tray and decanter. Offered by Nadine Okker.

Victorian to Art Deco champagne coupes and cocktail glasses. Offered by Robinson Antiques.

A superb quality Bohemian cut glass vase with gold plated rim. Offered by Travers Antiques

For any cocktail party, a dazzling statement piece of jewellery or crystal encrusted bag is a must!

Art Deco platinum sapphire and diamond ring. Offered by Kieron Reilly.

This 1940s cocktail ring is guaranteed to cause a stir. Studded with diamonds and gold bands. Offered by Pari's Jewellery

1940s brown felt embroidered and sequinned tilt cocktail hat. Betsy-co-Ed U.S.A. Offered by Carole Collier.

  A 1950s crystal pink amethyst paste evening bag/compact case and an orange Art Deco Bakelite clutch bag. Both offered by Tony Durante.