Summer Catering: Antique Partyware from Alfies

Summer has finally arrived! Temperatures have been soaring this week and with that has come the clinking of Pimms glasses and the smell of the barbecue. If you're planning a picnic, barbecue or summer party this weekend - or want to be prepared for the next mini-heatwave (after all, it's impossible to predict) - then Alfies is a great place to stock up on vintage and antique drinkware and picnicware. A vintage dinner set or water set adds interest and a touch of class to a garden table, so get rid of that plastic atrocity you've had in the cupboard for years, and take a look at what Alfies has on offer.

We have found a great selection of glasses, pitchers and more from some of our dealers here at Alfies, here are our favourites:

1920s/30s American Art Deco Chrome plated cocktail shaker with engraved recipes. From Andy's Antiques & Collectables.

As above.

1920s 1930s Art Deco Whitefriars sapphire blue glass jug and glass set with silver plate drink stirrers. From Robinson Antiques.

1920s/30s English Art Deco green alabaster glass water set. From Robinson Antiques.

1930s silverplate and Bakelite cherry pot with cherry cocktail sticks. From Beth.

1940s red and cream Bakelite ice bucket. From Beth.

1950s Whitefriars ruby glass mixer jug. From Robinson Antiques.

Blue Monday

To fight off the Blue Monday gloom, we've used it as inspiration for our Top Ten favourite blue pieces currently in store at Alfies..

Vintage Blue Suit by BIBA. From Tin Tin Collectables.

Doublet opal and diamond ring, c1920s offered by Connie Speight.

Bristol blue rum bottle dated from the 18th Century. From W & L Antiques.

Collection Of Blue Chinese Vases. From Horner Antiques.

Chinese blue and white bowl with a dragon chasing the pearl of wisdom. 1st Republic. From Horner Antiques

Beautiful set of 5, 1950s blue star cut cased crystal glasses. From Robinson Antiques.

1950s Val Saint Lambert lamps. Belgian. From Louise Verber Antiques.

Mid century venetian glass beaded necklace. From Gloria Sinclair.

1970s murano perfume bottle. From Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary.

Blue enamelled cufflinks on silver. From Gareth Brooks.

Val St Lambert blue engraved crystal decanter, 1908. From Louise Verber Antiques.

Newly Open - Atomium

A warm welcome to Tom of Atomium, who has recently moved into the Second Floor Gallery. You'll find an incredible range of antiquarian books and an eclectic mix of vintage objects such as furniture, posters, jewellery and glassware, dating from the Victorian period to mid century. Prices range from £5 to £500.

Tom's personal favourite item in his shop is Tabatha
"a tailor's dummy from Selfridges, so she's posh!"

"All items are carefully chosen (or occasionally randomly selected), especially the books, where it's always best to be eclectic. The First Editions are always popular."

When it comes to buying vintage, Tom advises to "buy what you like, even if you paid too much, at least you like it". This could be our new mantra!

Atomium

Unit S008 

Second Floor Gallery

Website: www.atomium.co.uk

Email: home@atomium.co.uk

Tel: 07905 271 082

The Second Floor in Alfies

Here in Alfies we have four floors of amazing stands filled with unique items. This week's blog focuses on the second floor, where you will find a great mix of unusual collectables ranging from kitsch 50's tea sets from Ian Broughton to beautiful vintage lace from June Victor.

June sells a range of textiles from the 18th Century up until the 1940's, encompassing costume, lace, ribbons and table and bed linen. Her costumes and related accessories are constantly supplied to films and theatre.

Adjacent to June's stand is Nigel Martin, here you can find a wealth of vintage fabric, fixings and trimmings.

Persiflage specialises in similar items; textiles, vintage clothes and accessories. Like June's and Nigel's, this is a real treasure trove of a shop. You can find amazing 1960s dresses alongside drawers full of vintage buttons and trimmings, all reasonably priced.

The Originals have lots of fantastic and unique pieces of jewellery that I could spend hours looking at! Recently I have been admiring their collection from French costume jewellery designer Lea Stein.

Just opposite The Originals you will find East West Antiques. Colin Thompson who runs the stand has a variety of specialisms including Oriental objects and decoratives, illustrated books (including children's books) and collectible toys and related ephemera.

Francesco Bettoni deals in original artwork mainly from the 1970s. His constantly varying stock encompasses many disciplines including sculpture, painting, prints, and photography. All the artworks are signed originals from renowned international artists.

Ian Broughton's shop Manic Attic is crammed full of amazing kitsch finds from 1930's-60's. You can find quirky glasses, lighting record players and household items that will take you back to another
time.

Art and Decorative Design, have a great range of 20th Century decorative objects, with a focus on lighting, furniture and contemporary art. This is an ideal destination for collectors and interior designers alike.

Beverley is a well established antiques dealer who specialises in glass, ceramics, porcelain and English china. There really is something for everyone here, from the pretty tea cups to Clarice Cliff hand painted plates.

Trevor Lewis Vintage Glass & Decorative Objects is a relatively new dealer to the market, but with 15 years experience in the antiques trade under his belt, he has brought a fantastic array of decorative items to Alfies. This ranges from Art Deco vases to kitsch glass objects.

So make a bee line for the Second Floor Gallery and see what treasures you can find!

Things that go pink in the night

With the nights getting shorter, darker and colder it is nice to indulge in comforting objects. Pink is a warming colour, cuddling us into comfort and keeping the chill of the night away.



A 1920's pink swans-down evening shrug jacket with a beaded tulle tie from Tin Tin Collectables.



A 1930's pink, pressed glass tazza fruit bowl with stunning art deco lady stood within a hoop holding up the bowl. In perfect condition and a rare piece from Ian Broughton



1950' necklace, brooch, earrings in pink hard plastic from The Originals - Paola & Iaia



A pair of 1950's pink lucite and perspex shoes with pastel diamantes from The Girl Can’t Help It



Carltonware pink posy from Beverley