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!