Flower Power

It's officially flower show season! Last month saw the iconic Chelsea Flower Show hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society with many more taking place through the Summer months right up until September. The RHS was founded in London in 1804 and has since become the UK's leading gardening charity. The society aims to promote horticulture making the UK a greener place through their inspirational flower shows, promotion and education.

Here are some of our favourite plant based pieces from around Alfies:

A Monet print, 1970s. Available from Moe Heidarieh

A Chinese prunus vase, 1916. Available from Horner Antiques

A Jean Allen dress, 1960s. Available from June Victor

Flowers in vase painting, signed, 1940s. Available from i Fine & Contemporary Art

An enamel flower scent bottle, 1970s. Available from Gloria Sinclair

A watercolor floral painting by Lucy Kemp Welsh, 1930s. Available from Robert McKoy Fine Arts

A floral button down dress, 1950s. Available from June Victor

A floral painting, oil on board, 1950s. Available from i Fine & Contemporary Art

Glass

Among some of the most vibrant pieces on show at Alfies right now is lots of coloured glass. Always popular and striking, glass also has huge scope, coming in many forms. Technically known as glass art, Murano is considered to be the birthplace of the modern styles and is still one of the most popular styles of glass available. 

As a decorative medium, glass was developed in early Egypt and Assyria and was desired by the Romans. The earliest evidence of glass blowing was found in Chogha Zanbil during excavations where many glass bottles were found and were dated to the 2nd millennium BC.

In the context of being used as an art form, glass reached the height of popularity during the Middle Ages, when the builders of the cathedrals of Europe began creating stained glass windows as a major decorative element in their architecture.

The 19th century saw factory glass blowers replaced by mechanical bottle blowing and birthed some of the great modern designers such as Lalique, Tiffany and Whitefriars which are still hugely popular in the world of antiques today.

Here are some of the most eye-catching pieces we have seen around Alfies...

Yellow and orange glass serving dishes, c1970s. Available from W & L Antiques

A cranberry crackle glass, c1890s. Available from W & L Antiques

Midnight blue and turquoise glass perfume bottle, c1980s. Available from Hayman & Hayman

An orange glass splash vase, c1950s. Available from Beth

A Davidson Pearline yellow glass sweet dish, 1915. Available from Beth

A French peach splash glass bowl, c1950s. Available from Horner Antiques

A Czech aquamarine glass vase, c1960s. Available from Robinson Antiques

An amber glass perfume bottle, c1940s. Available from Hayman & Hayman

A Whitefriars ruby glass vase, c1965. Available from Robinson Antiques

A Val St. Lambert lime green glass vase, c1950s. Available from Louise Verber Antiques

 

A Murano crackle glass cased vase, c1960s. Available from Robinson Antiques

May's Birthstone: Emerald

May is the heart of Spring, making the Emerald a very fitting birthstone for the month with its colour matching the lush growth and landscapes of the season. Just as Spring is associated with renewal, in the eyes of the ancient Greeks and Romans, the emerald is a symbol of rebirth.

The Egyptians also valued emeralds, considering them to have protective powers, which led to them using the gem in jewellery and burial ceremonies. Cleopatra is possibly the most famous character in history with a fondness for the emerald, using them heavily in her personal adornment and even taking ownership of all the emerald mines in Egypt during her reign.

Some of the oldest emeralds are estimated to be 2.97 billion years old and are still among the most valuable gemstones to own today.

In honour of the dazzling jewel, here is a selection of our favourites from Alfies:

Emerald and diamond baguette ring, 1980s. Available from Kieron Reilly

French Art Deco emerald and diamond filigree earrings, 1920s. Available from Pari's Jewellery

French Art Deco diamond and emerald platinum ring, 1920s. Available from Kieron Reilly

A diamond and emerald bow brooch, 1940s. Available from Zeeba Jewels

A Columbian emerald and diamond gold ring, custom made, 1970s. Available from Pari's Jewellery

Diamond and emerald drop earrings, 1970s. Available from Kieron Reilly

Burns Night: A celebration of Scottish Antiques

Burns Night is a celebration of the life and legacy of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. A much loved national treasure, Burns is synonymous with Scotland, liberalism and socialism - having written over 550 poems, many of which were an astute social commentary. 

The poet died from rheumatic fever at only 37, in 1796, and whilst the first 'Burns Supper' was held by his friends and family in 1801, it is now a national event. A common supper is made up of haggis, neeps and tatties (swedes and potatoes), whisky and the reading of Burns' poetry.. not to mention a rendition of Auld Lang Syne, more famously sung at New Year's Eve!

To commemorate the Scottish figure in our own 'Alfies' way, we've picked our favourite Scottish themed antique and vintage pieces from the shelves of our 50+ dealers..

Bronze bust of Robert Burns on a marble plinth. By Cordel. Available from Tin Tin Collectables

Art Deco vase made by famous Scottish Glass House Monart. Available from Robinson Antiques

Silver Scottish Thistle charm with coloured stone, 1960s. Available from Good Time Antiques

Muirhead and Arthur Glasgow. 1883. Available from Goldsmith & Perris

Victorian coffee pot pictured twice. William Marples & sons, Sheffield, c1897. Goldsmith & Perris

Victorian Scottish Majolica plate. c.1856-80. W & L Antiques

Authentic men’s kilt c1940s-50s. June Victor

Authentic men’s kilt c1940s-50s. June Victor

Wooden treen tartan box, c1890s. Offered by Beth

Symbols of Christmas

Christmas is a Christian festival rich in tradition and history, symbolism being a theme that runs heavily throughout all aspects of the celebration. From the food we eat to the decorations we choose, a British Christmas today is still largely based on the Christian celebration. Here we explore some of those meanings through antiques from Alfies.

The Star – This symbolises the star which, according to the bible, guided the three kings to the baby Jesus upon his birth, whilst also depicting the shining hope of humanity.

A Victorian gold and diamond locket, c1900. Offered by Kieron Reilly

Red – Being the first colour of Christmas, this symbolises the 'saviour's' sacrifice and represents the blood of Jesus on the cross.

A Whitefriars ruby textured 'Pot Belly' vase, 1965. Offered by Robinson Antiques

The Fir Tree – Evergreen is the second colour of Christmas, representing everlasting light and life. Mostly this is displayed through a Christmas tree, which usually comes from the evergreen conifer family such as fir, pine or spruce.

An enamel Christmas tree brooch, 1980s. Offered by Gloria Sinclair

The Bell – Ringing bells symbolise the start of the festive season and the birth of Christ.

A selection of 9ct gold charms, 1960s/70s. Offered by Good Time Antiques

The Candle – A mirror of starlight, reflecting the star of Bethlehem.

A pair of silver plate Corinthian column candle sticks, c1910. Offered by Goldsmith & Perris

Holly – The prickly leaves represent the crown of thorns, said to have been worn by Jesus when he was crucified.

A pair of enamel holly earrings, 1980s. Offered by Gloria Sinclair

The Candy Cane – A treat that represents the shape of a shepherd's crook. It is a reminder that according to the bible, Jesus - the good shepherd - was born on Christmas Day and used the crook to bring the lost lambs back to the fold. The red strip represents his blood and the white his purity.

A patterned glass dish, 1950s. Offered by Renato

July's Birthstone: Ruby

Rubies, the birthstone of July, are often used to represent love, health and wisdom and are widely considered to be the king of gems. To this day it is still the most valuable gemstone with the value increasing based on colour and quality. 

Traditionally, it was believed that wearing a ruby would bestow good fortune upon its owner, making all those born in July a very lucky bunch indeed.

Alfies isn't short of these lucky charms, read on to see just a small selection of our favourites.

A pair of 1980s natural ruby and diamond earrings set in 18ct gold. Offered by Kieron Reilly

A Victorian cranberry glass vase. Offered by Sheila Cameron

A 1950s paste brooch. Offered by April Antiques

A Whitefriars ruby glass molar vase with controlled bubble details. Offered by Robinson Antiques

1940s natural ruby and diamond brooches. Offered by Zeeba Jewels

A 1950s Japanese lacquerware sherry glass and tray set. Offered by Horner Antiques

Dealer Spotlight: Moe Heidarieh

Located in the reception area of the market is Moe Heidarieh, Alfies resident watch specialist. Having been a dealer here for around 20 years he is nearly part of the furniture and one of Alfies stand out characters - always in a good mood, welcoming and ready to help anyone who comes through the door.

Moes stand is a little nook in the corner of the building where a collection of items mingle together. You can be sure to find prints, art and even the odd book tucked away, but Moes real passion is timepieces. He has a large collection of both men's and women's watches or many eras and designs available. And he's always willing to change a battery for you.

Below you'll find just a small selection of watches available from Moe.

Moe, hard at work

A men's Ebel watch, Swiss made with a mechanical winder, 1940s

A full hunter pocket watch, gold filled with mechanical winder, 1920s

A women's Aurore watch, gold plated with quartz winder, 1960s

A men's Baume and Mercer watch, Swiss made with quartz winder, original strap with 14ct gold, 1990s

A women's Omega watch, Swiss made with mechanical winder, gold plated, 1960s

A women's Limit watch, Swiss made with incabloc design, 1960s

Moe Heidarieh
Stand G009-011

Tel: 07807 359 931