Treasures of the Deep

Horner Antiques on the ground floor of Alfies have an exciting display of porcelain rescued from the seabed. Shipwrecked antiques have long been collectable due to the romance and tragedy associated with found objects.

Over the last few years a number of wrecks have been found in the South China seas off the coast of Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. There are examples from 1430 (Ming Dynasty) through to 1815 - 20 (Ching Dynasty).

Bowl with barnacles

Staining on a bowl which lain next to metal

There are pieces with barnacles that have started to grow on them and the glaze has been eroded by seawater. Where pieces have lain next to metal you can see staining on the porcelain, such as in this piece from Tek Sing which has a stylised peach blossom design.

Tea bowl saucers from different wrecks and periods

Here are two examples of tea bowl saucers from different wrecks and different periods, showing the evolution of style. Both of these are stylised cherry blossom in decoration, one is from the wreck of 'Ca Mau' which sank in 1725, the other from the Tek Sing which sank in 1822.

Spoons from the wreck of the 'Desaru' 

From the wreck of the 'Desaru' which sank off the Johor peninsular, Malaysia, Horner Antiques are very  fortunate to have a pair of spoons, the colour is more vibrant and flo blue in appearance.

Small bowls decorated with a repeating Greek pattern

You will also find small bowls decorated with a repeating Greek pattern and different amounts of glaze loss, this would have happened where the porcelain in the middle of the bowl was more protected from the elements as the packing crates rotted and the cargo settled on to the seabed.

Horner Antiques

Stand G012-13

Tel: 07748 653 580

mhornerantiques@gmail.com

Chinese New Year: Year Of The Monkey

Celebrate Chinese New Year With Alfies- Year Of The Monkey

Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional luni-solar Chinese calendar. This year it lands on Monday 8th January, the year of the Monkey. It is also known as the Spring Festival, which is the literal translation of the modern Chinese name. Celebrations traditionally start on the evening preceding the first day and continue to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first calendar month.

The New Year festival is centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. Regional customs and traditions vary widely, traditionally the evening after Chinese New Year's Day is an occasion for families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. It is also traditional for every family to clean the house, to make way for good luck throughout the year. Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts with popular themes of good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity. Other traditional celebrations include firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat- Chinese Festival Of Lights Display

At Alfies we have a wide range of not only beautiful Asian antiques, but a wonderful array of animal themed collectables too, to suit your Chinese zodiac sign.

1860 'The Marmozettes' original print, available from Moe Heidarieh

A beautiful Chinese 1st Republic (1912-1920) double lidded pot for making soup, available from Horner Antiques

An unusual selection of 1920s silver marked monkey brooches, available from Zeeba Jewels

1860-1880 Buddha snuff scoop carved from cow bone, available from Horner Antiques

A wonderful carved wood African Monkey Dance mask, one of a pair, from Cameroun, available from The Moderns

Hand painted Imari vase made in Canton, c1825, available from Horner Antiques

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and, as the song goes, there are "12 days of Christmas". Alfies is never short of the perfect gift, and with a wide selection of items to choose from - ranging from fine jewellery to homewares, and books to vintage fashion - all at a varied price, we can assure you that you'll find more than enough gifts for your stocking.

"On The First Day Of Christmas..."

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me; A vibrant 1930s Cartlonware pear sugar shaker, with a 1900 German porcelain partridge.  

On the second; a fabulous 1960s Villeroy & Boch dove plate. 

On the third; a stunning 1930s Japanese gold lacquer cocktail set. 

On the fourth; a striking 1960s Japanese lacquer box with colly bird.

Clockwise from top left: 1930s shaker from Beth; 1960s Villeroy & Boch plate from Robinson Antiques; 1960s Japanese lacquer box from Horner Antiques; 1930s cocktail shaker set from Horner Antiques

"Five Gold Rings..."

Always a firm favourite, on the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: a stunning set of golden family crest signet rings.
On the sixth: a beautiful chrome six headed Luminart floor lamp in the shape of geese/swans.
On the seventh; a wonderful pair of carved wood golden swans.
On the eighth; a 1970s silver plate ballerina brooch.

Clockwise from top left: 5 gold signet rings from Kieron Reilly; Vintage chrome six headed Luminart floor lamp from Eclectic & Contemporary; 1970s silver plate ballerina brooch and 1920s carved wooden swans, set of 3, both from Gloria Sinclair.

The Final Countdown

On the ninth: a 1930s 'Drummer Dyes' poster.
On the tenth: a wonderful antique print 'The Bag Piper'.
On the eleventh: a 1950s gold compact depicting a rock and roll dancing couple, by Stratton.
And on the twelfth day my true love sent to me: a wonderful pair of gentleman's riding boots fit for leaping.

Clockwise from top left: 1930s 'Drummer Dyes' poster from Dodo; Genuine antique 'The Bag Piper' print from Moe Heidarieh; A Pair of 1900s gentleman's riding boots from Tin Tin Collectables; 1950s gold rock and roll compact by Stratton from June Victor.

Check out the Alfies Christmas gift guide in store or online here.

 

Time For Tea

Afternoon tea, the perfect British pass time. If ever there's a rainy day, put the kettle on. Any problem big or small - a nice cup of tea will make it better. Tea has been a firm favourite with us Brits since the 18th century, and we have the world's greatest tea consumption per capita! To celebrate our love for the beloved hot beverage, this week - Monday 10th to Sunday 16th August - it is National Afternoon Tea Week.

National Afternoon Tea Week. Image by Afternoontea.co.uk

Between 1720 and 1750 the imports of tea to Britain through the British East India Company more than quadrupled, making it a highly valuable item to trade. Again, between 1872 and 1884 the supply of tea to the British Empire increased with the expansion of the railway to the east. From 1884 onwards, due to it's growing popularity, the prices dropped and the drink thus became a choice not only for the upper classes but for people of all backgrounds to enjoy. London became the centre of the international tea trade and with this came a large increase in the demand for porcelain from tea cups, pots and saucers.

At Alfies we have a number of dealers who specialise in fine china, oriental porcelain, silver teapots and everything in between. Here are just a few we have to offer.

A 1930s Sadlers car teapot. Offered by Beth

1930s Japanese tea set, decorated with Moriage detailing. Offered by Horner Antiques

1920s boxed and signed Murano gilt glass cups and saucers decorated with cherries. Offered by Nadine Okker

1790 English silver teapot, with one of the rarest marks on English silver,
Peter and Jonathan Bateman, sons of Hester Bateman. Offered by Janes Antiques

A selection of Art Deco Shelley trio sets. Offered by Beth

1930s Wade Heath Disney house teapot. Offered by Beth

1970s Japanese blue and white shallow teapot. Offered by Horner Antiques

1935 Art Deco platinum ring Royal Doulton tea set, casino pattern. Offered by Robinson Antiques

If this has whetted your appetite for a delicious afternoon tea, then be sure to visit our fantastic Roof Top Kitchen who offer a range of superb teas, coffees and homemade cakes.