Father's Day Gift Ideas at Alfies

In tribute of Father's Day on the 17th of June, we have put together some inspirational gifts for dad. We think the following ideas are a surefire hit... or, you could buy him his 27th pair of novelty socks. We know what he'd prefer!

Bowie by Dan Reaney. Limited edition acetate/chrome and glitter painting with signed certificate,
available from Planet Bazaar

Silver and onyx cufflinks, 1970s, available from Gloria Sinclair

Vintage bankers lamp by NIAM of France, c1920s, available from Travers Antiques

Leather and silver hipflask, available from Goldsmith & Perris

Cartier 18ct and sapphire tie clip, available from Kieron Rielly

Edwardian collapsible opera top hat, available from Linda Bee

Men's costume jewellery, c1970s ring with ornate shank, diamond cut surface with a matt gold tone,
available from Arabella Bianco

Gifts for Him

Are you shopping for a man who has everything? Men are notoriously tricky to buy for when they seem to own everything and need nothing. They aren't always vocal about what they want, and to make things worse, anything they have their eye on, they buy themselves. 

But do not fret, we have everything covered for you! Get inspired by our edit of mantiques at Alfies...

1950s submarine clock. Available from Good Time Antiques

Vintage Hamilton watch. Available from Moe Heidarieh

1950s table lighter decorated in playing card motif. Available from Dream Retro

Louis Vuitton leather attaché case, 1985. Available from Tin Tin Collectables Luggage

Jumo of Paris, black metal and brass lamp, c1960s, by Eillen Gray. Available from Travers Antiques

Gold and sapphire cufflinks. Available from Kieron Reilly

Vintage advertising sign for Les Portos Gibson, made in Brussels c1950s. Available from Travers Antiques

Vintage Georg Jensen cufflinks. Available from Gareth Brooks

Father's Day: Antique Gift Inspiration

Father's Day is almost here and for those of you who are yet to find a gift for your dads, we've compiled a list of our top presents for men from Alfies. 

Dads are usually difficult to buy for, and if you want to avoid another year of beer and wine gums, we suggest you buy vintage! Not only will buying an antique or vintage gift mean that it's completely unique, it's also the environmentally friendly option.

Here are our favourite picks:

A 1951 football trophy made from  aluminum on a marble base. Offered by Tin Tin Collectables.

A vintage, wooden box by Piero Fornasetti. The lacquered, metal exterior features coloured transfers with ‘pipe’ motif. Offered by Cupio Gallery.

Cigar cutter by Pfeilring, Germany. Unused, in original box. c1965. Offered by Robinson Antiques.

Five branded shot glasses on a drink themed tray, c1960s (tray sold separately). Offered by Dream Retro.

Fornasetti 1950s brass and red lacquered ice bucket. Offered by Cupio Gallery.

Murano glass 1960s table lighter. Offered by Dream Retro.

Ruby and diamond fox cufflinks, set in gold and silver. Available from Gareth Brooks.

International Men's Day

International Men's Day is an annual international event celebrated in more than 60 countries, on 19 November. The idea is to promote male role models, increase awareness of men's health issues, improve gender equality and highlight discrimination. Or simply to get people to show some appreciation for the men in their life!

Each year secondary themes are suggested, such as peace in 2002, healing and forgiveness in 2007, "Our children our future" in 2010, and "working together for men and boys" in 2014 - which addressed issues that affect males all over the world.

This year the theme is “Working To Expand Reproductive Options for Men”, designed to encourage cooperation in addressing reproductive issues.

In celebration of International Men's Day, we have put together a few examples of mantiques you will find at Alfies all year round. 

Original 1960s James Bond Aston Martin toy model, offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

15 Jewels Pocket Watch, record watch, 1924, offered by Moe Heidarieh

A selection of hipflasks, silver plate and leather, 1900s - 1940s, offered by Goldsmith & Perris

Machine age lamp by Marbro, USA, 1950s, offered by Matt Mitchell London

Radar Men From The Moon, CineFilm, offered by Atomium

9ct Gold round cufflinks with white and baby blue edging, offered by Gareth Brooks

Gopnered 1930s leather briefcase, offered by Tin Tin Collectables

1950s search lights on stands, offered by Steven Lazarus

Real Men Buy Mantiques...

This week there was an interesting article by Katrina Burroughs in the Telegraph titled "Forget antiques: the latest trend is mantiques".  Here at Alfies we did a bit of research, asked our twitter followers and spoke to some of our dealers who stock a more manly selection of antique goods to find out the word on the street. 

Tin Tin Collectables - First Floor at Alfies

At Alfies, Leslie Verrinder of Tin Tin Collectables has an eclectic collection perfectly suited for the discerning gentlemen.  His luggage and travel accessories shop on the first floor is full of canvas and leather trunks of all sizes, as well as a number of sporting goods including 1950s jockey weighing scales, a 1930s fishing reel with horn handle and a set of boxed gaming chips.  We asked Leslie for his thoughts on this new trend:

"For far too long now the antiques and collectables market has been dominated by a lean to the feminine - consider glass, china, lace, textiles and vintage fashion. Now the new kid on the block sees the rise of the MANTIQUE."

Gaming chips and metal trunk

Leslie has seen demand increase for large pieces of vintage luggage, steamer trunks and vintage sporting goods including croquet sets, crickets sets, and leather punchbags.

1950s jockey's weighing scales

"Originally, these items were the preserve of large shops and interior decorators including Ralph Lauren and Espirit, now they are finding their way into houses and apartments as furniture. A steamer trunk, for example, makes an excellent occasional or coffee table, complete with ample storage, and a home gym looks so much better with a leather working punch bag hanging in the corner."

The Boys Own Book of Outdoor Games & Pastimes, fishing reel and leather football

Mirror Master in the stand next door has some unusual desk accessories including an elephant shaped inkwell and pen holder and some interesting match holders in the style of a bookcase.

Stephen Lazarus - First Floor at Alfies

Peering through the window of Stephen Lazarus shop opposite your eyes take a moment to adjust to the jungle of industrial lighting that greets you.  Angle poise, tubular steel and imposing theatre lights are mixed with model airplanes and glove moulds from a French glove making factory.  A steel filing cabinet with contrasting brass handles sits proudly on a tall metal base, perfect for a modern man’s home office.

Industrial lighting from Stephen Lazarus

So it seems ‘mantiques’ are on the rise with many male collectors looking for interesting pieces to add to their homes.  Whether or not people like this catchy new term, the trend is here to stay and for those looking for original pieces Alfies and the other antique shops on Church Street are a great place to start!

See more great items on our Mantiques Pinterest board.