Summer Garden Party Style

Summer is in full swing and with scorching temperatures set to continue- there’s no better way to celebrate than with a garden party!

Earlier this month, the Queen hosted the annual Summer Garden Party at Holyrood Palace. Each summer, the Queen hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyrood House in Scotland.

Garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s when Queen Victoria hosted what were known as ‘breakfasts’ (though confusingly they took place in the afternoon).

Historically, the annual garden parties were very much high society events with the presentation of debutantes and attendance of nobility.

From 1958 onward the parties  departed from their haute monde beginnings and evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

Though rooted in royalty, the British public has embraced the tradition of the garden party which has become an essential facet of the summer social calendar.

With so many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, we’re making the most of it by getting dressed up.

So whether it’s a relaxed BBQ or an elegant soiree, we’ve rounded up a selection of elegant  jewellery available here at Alfies that will add that extra special touch to your summer party outfit…

Circa 1900 French Platinum Diamond and Enamel Pendant. Available from Kieron Reilly

Victorian Gold Scarf Clip with Natural Pearls. Available from Gareth Brooks

A Victorian Silver, Amethyst and Moonstone Brooch. Available from Arabella Bianco

Victorian 18ct Emerald Pearl and Diamond Brooch, Circa 1880. Available from Kieron Reilly

Victorian Natural Sea Water Pearl and Diamond Ring, Circa 1890. Available from Kieron Reilly

Trifitail Gold Plated Bracelet with Faux Pearls. Available from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which takes place every August, with this year marking its 50th anniversary. The event was born out of the indoor carnivals that came to London in 1959 which were used to celebrate the culture of the Caribbean immigrants who arrived in the UK after the war, the first of which took place at St. Pancras Town Hall and was televised by the BBC.

These events eventually grew and spilled out into the streets of London, becoming a celebration for all nationalities, until musician Russ Henderson and his steel band were invited to perform at the 1966 carnival, culminating in the band leading a spontaneous march through the streets of Notting Hill with crowds of people following, thus inspiring the carnival we know today. The carnival has now become the largest street festival in Europe where people from all over come together and celebrate what is Londons now hugely multicultural society.

Notting Hill Carnival 2016 is a free event and will take place on August 28th to August 29th from 10am-8.30pm. We think it's the perfect way to celebrate the bank holiday weekend and soak up the last of the Summer.

With the carnival spirit running through us, we took a look around Alfies for some flamboyant pieces.

 

Beaded necklace. Offered by Tony Durante

Floral design hand fan. Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

Beaded necklace. Offered by Tony Durante

Feathered headpiece. Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

Embroidered waistcoat. Offered by June Victor

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.

Flutter By Alfies

Butterflies have always been considered creatures of beauty from their majestically designed wings to their grace in flight. The ‘Sensational Butterflies’ exhibition at the Natural History Museum allows you to appreciate these beautiful creatures up close this summer. Today the sight of a butterfly is a lot less common than it used to be. This exhibition gives people the chance to see a large number of different species in one place and learn about one of nature’s amazing life cycles.

In the world of fashion, butterflies remain an object of beauty. You may have seen jewellery shaped like a butterfly but have you ever wondered if it is a real butterfly? Butterfly wing jewellery has been a popular form of accessory since the 1920s. The style involves painting exquisite pieces of art on the reverse side of a butterfly wing. The most desirable images include crinoline ladies, children, or birds, as well as tropical paradise scenes. They are most commonly found on bracelets, brooches, pins, and pendants. You can grab yourself a small pendant for less than £10 at a vintage market!

Lovely Butterfly Wing Pendant Charm featured on Ebay 

Many of the vintage pieces here at Alfies also let butterflies take center stage. Butterfly jewellery, such as brooches and pendants, is a prominent feature with vibrant colours and interesting shapes. Butterfly prints can also be spotted, some even featuring real butterflies, just like the butterfly wing jewellery.  

Below is a selection of a few of the lovely butterfly pieces Alfies has to offer to make your summer just that little bit more colourful: 

20th Century Butterfly and Floral Print Cup and Saucer Sets. Offered by Beth Adams and Horner Antiques

Genuine Antique Butterfly Print, over 100 Years Old. Offered by Moe Heidarieh

Victorian Butterfly Brooch with Stunning Floral Detailing. Offered by Naneen Brooks

Beautiful Vintage Enamel Butterfly Brooch. Offered by June Victor  

'Boys Catching Butterflies' Vintage Plate. Offered by Horner Antiques

Butterfly and Floral Print Bow Octagonal Dish c.1760. Offered by Janes Antiques

An Ace At Alfies

Wimbledon is well under way and with the sun shining, strawberries ripe and champagne flowing, who will be crowned champion this year? 

The Championships Wimbledon, also known as Wimbledon, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It has been held at the AELTC, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, since 1877 and to many is widely considered the most prestigious tennis competition. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the others being; the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open. Since the Australian Open shifted to hard court in 1988, Wimbledon is the only major still played on grass.

The tournament takes place over two weeks in late June and early July, culminating with the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Singles Final, scheduled for the second Saturday and Sunday respectively. Five major, junior, and invitational events are held each year. Wimbledon traditions include a strict dress code for competitors, the eating of strawberries and cream by the spectators, and Royal patronage.

At Alfies we have plenty to cause a racket about, and you will love the wide range of antiques and vintage collectables we have to serve for your Wimbledon experience - from champagne coupes and picnic baskets to rare tennis rackets.

 The official 'The Championships Wimbledon' logo

Two 1940's tennis rackets with original Dunlop stretchers and carrying bag. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A vintage Whipshaft tennis racket. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A 1930s La Belle and early 20th century Queen's tennis racket. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A collection of vintage tennis books from the 1960s and 1970s. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

A collection of tennis brooches. A silver 1950s tennis racket and ball brooch, a 1950s metal double racket pin and a 1960s Léa Stein colourful pair of tennis rackets brooch. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals

Come rain or come shine, it's one of the signs that the English summer is here and Wimbledon would not be the same without its iconic strawberries and cream. The tradition of the red fruit remains part of the tournament so much so that 28,000kg of them are eaten each year. The most likely explanation of the tradition seems to be a combination of circumstances - as strawberries were in season at the time of the tournament - and the fact that during the Victorian era they were the fashionable thing to eat. They were part of afternoon tea, a daily ritual, and that carried over to Wimbledon.

A pair of mid-century carved coral strawberry and jade leaf earrings with gold wires and half pearl stones.
Offered by Gareth Brooks

A 1950s single wheel cut champagne coupe with strawberries. Offered by Robinson Antiques

A 1950s picnic set. Offered by Eclectic Antiques & Contemporary

Be sure to enjoy one of our delicious home made afternoon teas at our Roof Top Kitchen and enjoy the sunshine on the roof terrace.

Wonderful hand made cakes available at the Roof Top Kitchen on our 3rd floor at Alfies