New Dealer: Planet Bazaar

A view of the Planet Bazaar stand

We welcome new dealer, Maureen of Planet Bazaar to Alfies. Maureen has provided a sourcing service for unique 20th Century pieces for the home for the past 20 years.

A view of the Planet Bazaar stand

We asked Maureen a few questions to find out more...

How did Planet Bazaar begin?
From my desire for collecting vintage pieces.

How would you describe your stock?
Passionate, colourful and eclectic.

A view of the Planet Bazaar stand

What is the most highly sought after item you have in at the moment?
The eyeball floor lamp.

The eyeball lamp

Which designer do you admire, and why?
Ettore Sottsass - because his work speaks to me.

Ettore Sottsass

What piece would you love to find?
I know it when I see it. I don't set out to find a piece. It's what gazes back at me from an object or work of art - the like of collecting.

If you could own any piece of art from history what would it be?
One of Francis Bacon's Screaming Popes.

 Screaming Pope by Francis Bacon

Visit the Planet Bazaar stand located on the first floor at Alfies, F057/58.

Antiques Anonymous Flea Market

Last Sunday was the highly anticipated Antiques Anonymous flea market, a collaboration between the 80 dealers on Church Street NW8 (including Alfies), and an additional 50 antique and vintage traders from across London and further afield. Never before has Church Street been host to an exposition of this kind. Thankfully the sun was shining and the traders pitched up with everything from vintage clothing to midcentury furniture on offer.

The street was bustling and the atmosphere was electric, not only were customers presented with a range of high-calibre treasures, there was also live music and delicious street food and coffee. Needless to say, it was a great success and we would like to thank everyone involved and all the customers for making it a truly special day. Watch this space for the next edition!

Bohemian Flea

St John's Hospice

Levant & Taylor

Taqlid

Rag & Bone

Colette

Retrouvius

Stylish customers

New Dealer: Cupio Gallery

Cupio Gallery recently opened within Alfies, located within the hub of design that is the First Floor Mezzanine. Born out of a personal passion for design, you can expect to see a variety of Italian mid-century pieces from this dealer. We spoke with founder Matthew Moreton to find out a little more.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

In short, a forty-something singleton residing in Primrose Hill with the obligatory canine!

How did you become a dealer?

After a long-time passion for all things Italian (gelato included!) my interest in 1940s/1950s Italian design began. After many, extensive visits in and around Italy and Europe, I very quickly found myself craving the designs of Fornasetti, Ponti, Borsani et al - often struggling to bring my impulse purchases back home with me to Blighty! When an opportunity arose to have a showroom space here at Alfies, I seized it, sought a good shipper, and set about to satisfy my own retail impulses whilst helping others find their perfect pieces along the way.

How would you describe your stock?

An eclectic and refined selection of 20th century furniture, lighting and glass design which is predominantly sourced from Italy and Continental Europe. From the understated elegance of the 1930s, through to the flamboyant glamour of the 1970s, our hope is to source stylish and beautiful items that are both original and unique.

Do you have any personal favourites in your collection?

I’m loving the Fontana Arte ‘1462’ pendant that we currently hold. It was designed by Max Ingrand who was Fontana Arte’s artistic director for ten years. The simplicity of its design in conjunction with the use of high quality materials make this a special piece.

What piece would you love to find?

I’d love to have one of the large vintage ‘Eros’ dining tables in Carrara marble. Designed by Angelo Mangiarotti in 1971, the simple ‘gravity’ joint design for the legs looks completely unfussy, allowing the beauty of the marble itself to take center stage. I will have to save my pennies!

Do you collect anything?

I try not to as it can become an expensive past-time, however, I can’t seem to stop buying Murano glass picture frames. I particularly love the earlier ones from the 1940s by companies such as Venini and Barovier - this really was glass production at its best.

Do you have a favourite place to visit in London?

I love London and there are so many wonderful places vying for my attention - the Sir John Soane’s Museum, cakes at Ottolenghi, lunch at Cecconi’s and the Columbia Road Flower Market are just a few of my favourite haunts. For me, however, there’s nothing better than a simple stroll through one of the Royal Parks, we’re so fortunate to have these large green spaces in the middle of our city - a great place to unwind.

A Murano glass vase, Italy, c1950

A Murano clear glass frame, Italy, c1940

A pair of mirrored glass vide poche, Italy, c1970

A Fornasetti lacquered, metal tray with transfers of Greek mythological figures/constellation motifs in gold-leaf, c1950.

Bitossi ‘Rimini Blu’ vase, c.1980. A limited edition 'Rimini Blu' vase from Bitossi and Sons, numbered 127/199, Italy, c1980.

A Venini ’filigrana’ frame, Italy, c1940.

Cupio Gallery | First Floor Mezzanine | 07845 878 088 | hello@cupiogallery.com

Design at Alfies

A key event in the design calendar, Clerkenwell Design Week is now in its seventh year and consists of exhibitions, street spectacles, talks and workshops, showcasing the best in all things creative. London’s Clerkenwell has become home to a plethora of design and architectural practices and now boasts more than 80 design showrooms, including world leaders Moroso, Vitra, Arper, Poltrona Frau, Carl Hansen & Søn and Knoll. 

This three day festival started on 24 May 2016, with venues including the the House of Detention, Spa Fields, Fabric nightclub, St James Church. Today is the last day of the event, if you can't make it do not fret! There is no shortage of design pieces on offer at Alfies.  

Orefors Cased Vase, designed by Nils Landberg. Dusk range, 1955, offered by Robinson Antiques

Sculptural Sciolari Flush Mount Pendant, offered by The Moderns

Venetian Sommerso glass perfume bottles, Italian, offered by Sambataro

1950's Set of Five Italian Occasional Tables, offered by Vincenzo Caffarella

Abo Randers for LYFA Denmark brass floor light c1960, offerd by Thirteen Interiors

Scandimania: Norway and Beyond

A Spring cultural celebration of Scandinavia's art, music, cinema and folk culture, opened yesterday at the Dulwich Picture Gallery and will run until 15 May. Peruse a variety of Scandi market stalls and all things Scandi-inspired. This event is influenced by Painting Norway: Nikolai Astrup; one of Norway's most renowned artists, Astrup's work transforms the rugged Norwegian landscape into a mythical, living entity.

Scandinavian design is abundant at Alfies and is a design movement characterized by simplicity, minimalism and functionality that emerged in the 1950s. The idea that beautiful and functional everyday objects should not only be affordable to the wealthy, but to all, is a core theme in the development of modernism and functionalism. Its aesthetic has proved timeless and is a favourite amongst interior designers. We’re familiar with classic 1950s and 1960s Scandinavian chairs: Eero Aarnio’s Ball, Arne Jacobsen’s Egg, Eero Saarinen’s Tulip, which you can usually find adorning the fashionable homes of design addicts. However, it is not just the heritage brands making waves; Nordic countries now boast some of the best design schools in the world.

You too can own a design classic! The following items are just  a small example of Scandi pieces available at Alfies... 

Sigvard Bernadotte 1954 two-seater, offered by Thirteen Interiors

Mid Century Holmegaard 'Canada' Smoke Glasses, Denmark, offered by Robinson Antiques

Danish Silver Plated Tea and Coffee Set by Cohr, offered by The Moderns

Three-Tiered Danish 1950s Chandelier with Teak, Denmark, offered by The Moderns

Danish 1950s scissor lamp, offered by Thirteen Interiors

Three-Tiered Danish 1950s Chandelier with Teak, Denmark, offered by Matt Mitchell London

And don't forget, Alfies and the Church Street antiques area are hosting a week of pop-up shops and activities in collaboration with this year’s London Design Festival, between 20 and 24 September 2016, when you can get up close and personal with these beautiful objects!

New Dealer- Tobacciana Collectibles

This April we welcome a new dealer to the Alfies team; John Halsall of Tobacciana Collectibles, our latest dealer to join the ground floor.

Stand G085/86 has undergone a Spring transformation, filled with a colourful collection of decorative and promotional ashtrays and jugs. Many made by iconic potters such as Moorcroft, Royal Doulton, Limoges, Sundry and other pub and bar related items.

A 1953 Queen Elizabeth Coronation ashtray

We asked John a few questions...

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your business?
I have been collecting ashtrays for many years and started to trade in the year 2000. I sell collectable vintage ashtrays and jugs, many of which are rare French blue ashtrays, German, Spanish and British.

What first interested you in collecting?
I was always on the look out on my travels and the French blue ashtrays always caught my eye, from there my collection grew and expanded to trays and jugs from all around Europe.

How did you first start dealing in collectibles?
Having gained a large collection I decided that when I reached my 70th birthday it was time to turn my hobby into a business.

Do you have a personal favourite in your collection?
Yes, the French blue ashtrays. I like the bright colour. Some are like pieces of art work with hand painted designs, many made by well established potters like Moorcroft and Royal Doulton.

Two classic French vintage ashtrays

What are the most collectable ashtrays?
The Royal editions are always popular, and so are the Heineken branded ones. There is a fan base around the world for Heineken and many collectors are always looking out for vintage collectables.

Here are just a selection of ashtrays available from Tobacciana Collectibles:

A rare Moorcroft pottery ashtray made for promoting Marston's beer, 1 of 800.

A Cruise and Atlantic liner QE2's own brand of malt whisky flask.

A Royal Doulton porcelain bar water jug, matching ashtray also available.

A Wade porcelain ashtray promoting Warwick's 'Milkmaid' stout.

A Monagesque porcelain (similar to Limoges) souvenir ashtray commemorating the
 marriage of Prince Rainer to Hollywood actress Grace Kelly in 1956.

John Halsall- Tobacciana Collectibles 

Stand: G085/86 at Alfies Antique Market

Email: jmhalsall@hotmail.co.uk

Lumiere London - See the City in a New Light

London Lumiere is a free festival exhibiting 30 dazzling light displays in locations across London every night from 14 until 17 January, 6.30pm to 10.30pm. They include some of London's most iconic spots; King's Cross, Piccadilly, Mayfair, and Trafalgar Square. Enjoy a spectacular array of illuminations from animated projections, LED installations and giant animal sculptures, to beautiful multicoloured martyrs that decorate Westminster Abbey.

Garden Of Light by TILT

London by Janet Echelman/ Studio Echelman

Dresses by Tae Gon Kim

Neon Dogs by Deepa Mann-Kler

At Alfies we have an extensive range of beautiful and colourful lights available, with over 75 dealers to choose from. In honour of the festival we have picked out some of our favourite pieces:

Pair 1950s blue Val St.Lambert lamps, offered by Louise Verber Antiques

From top left to bottom right: 1970s German hand blown table lamp by Doria. A Vistosi Pipe Lamp, Italy 1960s. A large Mid-Century chandelier of brass and spun and lacquered aluminium, and a wonderful pair of 1970s fan-shaped lights of Italian Murano glass. All offered by Matt Mitchell London

From top left to bottom right: Holmegaard ‘Kreta’ Pendant mauve glass light by J. E. Bang for Fog & Morup 1964, Table lamp design by Aldo van den Nieuwelaar 1967, Danish 1950s orange glass ceiling light, and a 1950s chrome floor lamp. All offered by Thirteen Interiors

Pair of round moulded glass lamps, 1950s, offered by Steven Lazarus

Murano Lamp offered by Louise Verber Antiques

Stunning yellow, blue and red Murano glass horn shaped lamp from the 1970s/1980s.
Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

Pair of Italian Black & White Glass Pendant Lights, 1970s. Offered by Thirteen Interiors

Pair of table lights Romeo, Italian 1970s. Offered by The Moderns

Stunning hand blown glass lamps designed by Tapio Wirkkala, produced by Ittala, 1957-1965. Offered by The Moderns