Gillian Horsup: 'The items I buy have to be distinctive'

Gillian Horsup in her stand 

Gillian Horsup has been buying and selling vintage jewellery and accessories in London and the UK for 35 years. Before moving to Alfies Antique Market this summer: she previously shared a stand with Lola of Unicorn in the Mews at Grays Antiques.  Gillian, Lola and the rest of The Vintage Modes collective are now based on the Second Floor of  Alfies Antiques Market.

We asked her about how she first started in the vintage world...

A view at Gillian's stand 

Gillian please tell us how did you start trading in vintage pieces?

I have been trading for 35 years. I started in the vintage world by collecting myself. I lived in the East end of London and used to go to jumble sales as there were lots around my area. I slowly got interested in all sorts of antiques and in particular Art Deco pieces, mostly jewellery. I had a young family and I've done various jobs- I worked in teaching and as a secretary. At the same time I started doing fairs. I don’t know how I did it. But I did it. I’ve been everywhere. I’ve done Covent Garden Market, Greenwich Market, and I had a shop for years in Camden Passage. When that closed down I moved to Grays Mews and was then trading with Unicorn from Bond street.

Could you tell us what has changed in the vintage world throughout this time?

There aren't as many Antique Events on any more and the number of markets is shrinking. Alfies is great because it is a dedicated space. I’ve done various things but in the end I decided I wanted to be indoors. My family changed  and I didn’t want to carry things anymore-I still end up carrying. What has changed all those years is different shopping patterns but most startlingly is the venues. It’s difficult to find Art Deco events in the London area anymore because the venues are so expensive. People want variety and here we have a bit of everything-  glasses, compacts, ring boxes, fans, pins, hats, bags, jewellery from pearls to early plastic.

We are very intrigued to know how do you choose your stock?

I buy anything that catches my eye, and anything I like. We have such a variety of customers that I can’t restrict myself to a specific era or style. I used to specialise in Art Deco, but it doesn’t pay to be a specialist anymore. I look for items with good style and of good quality- I don’t like boring.

What do you consider boring?

I consider boring anything that I see lots of or that I do not notice at all. The items I buy have to be distinctive in their specific field and a little different. They have to stand out. They have to say hello to me.

Would you like to choose a piece for us that you're particularly fond of and tell us something about it?

My favourite items at the moment are Czech glass jewellery. I love items that people have taken care in the making of. You are dealing with objects created by skilled workers and skilled designers.



Interviewed 21st August 2018 by Titika Malkogeorgou

We've photographed some of our favourite distinctive items now available in Gillian's shop...

Vintage green and gilt chains earrings

Gold Tone Diamante Snake Brooch

Lea Stein Half Colerette Brooch 

Gillian Horsup at Vintage Modes | Second Floor, S057/58 | gillian@horsup.globalnet.co.uk | 02074998121| www.gillianhorsup.com | Instagram @gillianhorsup | @gillianhorsupvintagejewellery 

Antiques for Animals!

It's National Pet Month, 1 April - 7 May 2018, which gives us a wonderful excuse to share our favourite animal themed items at Alfies! National Pet Month raises awareness of responsible pet ownership through educational campaigns, it also celebrates the benefits of our pets and encourages fundraising for the nation’s needy pets. It's a great thing to get involved with!

If you are a fan of both vintage jewellery, and our furry friends, you'll love these top animal picks currently in-store at Alfies:

Art Deco brooch, available from Gloria Sinclair

Butler & Wilson diamanté dog and bone brooch, available from Gloria Sinclair

Vintage cat and dog figurines, available from Gloria Sinclair

Limoges rabbit trinket box, offered by Hayman & Hayman 

1960s cat brooch, set on 18ct gold, available from Zeeba Jewels

1960s cat brooch, set on 18ct gold, available from Zeeba Jewels

1960s dog brooch, set on 18ct gold, available from Zeeba Jewels

1950s Cat on shells "Personal Ashtray", available from Dream Retro

Valentine's Day

Valentine's day is nearly upon us once again and it's time to start thinking about how to celebrate..

We are offering a special prosecco afternoon tea for two at the Rooftop Kitchen, plus £100 in Alfies gift vouchers in a special Valentine's giveaway! To be in with the chance to win, keep an eye on the Alfies Instagram account (@alfiesantiques), tag a friend in our promotional post and DM (direct message) the Alfies account with your email address*. Simple! The winner will be announced Saturday 10th February. 

*Entrants will be added to the Alfies mailing list

Of course it's also time to start thinking about what you might gift your loved one. With the holiday symbolising all that it does, it's a perfect time to express appreciation for those who are important to us. Traditionally, Valentine's day is the holiday representing the Roman saint and has been associated with love and romance since the Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love and chivalry flourished. Over time this has evolved into the practice of card and gift giving. 

There are the usual gifts that are given at this time of year, such as flowers and chocolates, but how about something a little more unique? Read on to see some of our favourite pieces from around the store that we think would be perfect for the occasion.

Early 20th century oil painting, oil on board. Available from Robert McKoy Fine Arts

A 1950s Aurora Borealis heart carriage brooch. Available from Tony Durante

A 1960s gilded cupid brooch. Available from Good Time Antiques 

A 20th century signed floral painting, oil on canvas. Available from i Fine & Contemporary Art

An American 1940s floral brooch. Available from Tony Durante

A selection of antique gold and silver charms. Available from Good Time Antiques

Services: A spotlight on Creative Jewellery Company

Over the coming weeks we will be highlighting our many services available at Alfies Antique Market. This week's blog post puts the spotlight on Lawrence who runs Creative Jewellery Company.

Lawrence launched the company in 1999, close-by on Marylebone High Street and spent twenty years there honing his craft and building up a customer database before moving to Alfies last year. His work includes repairing and restoring jewellery, as well as custom jewellery design. Lawrence's passion and speciality is hand made unique jewellery, custom made to suit each individual's design and personality. His beautiful pieces are carefully crafted and make perfect unique gifts for special birthdays or occasions.

A cross necklace shown in development, from start to finish.

A ring that was driven over and flattened was restored to its former glory rather than being scrapped.

The beautiful handmade Daisy Swann ring, made from 29 separate pieces of platinum.

Second Floor | Stand S052

Tel: 07754 059 856

help@creativejewellery.com

Amethyst

February's birthstone is the amethyst, a gem which has been hugely popular across the eras, making antique amethyst jewellery easy to find. The fact that purple could for centuries only be produced from natural materials made it labour-intensive and thus highly expensive – at one point the stone was literally worth its weight in gold! As a result the amethyst became linked to royalty and power. The Victorians were big fans - when Queen Victoria wore a gown to the Royal Exhibition in 1862 dyed with the newly available product the colour became extremely fashionable.

The amethyst is popular for is hue and vibrancy and at Alfies our jewellery dealers have a beautiful selection of pieces on offer:

1930s amethyst ring. From Good Time Antiques.

Victorian 18k gold and amethyst necklace. Available from Kieron Reilly.

1900-1915 Suffragette amethyst bracelet. From Zeeba Jewels.

1870/1880 Austrian amethyst necklace. From Zeeba Jewels.

An amethyst ring surrounded with small diamonds set in white gold. 1960s-70s. From Gareth Brooks.

Edwardian Suffragette necklace. 1910-1915. Amthyst and natural pearl. Available from Zeeba Jewels.

Birthstone of August: Peridot

The peridot is a lustrous yellowish-green gem that is not as commonly worn as some other birthstones. For this reason, many people are curious about this underated gemstone when they begin a search for peridot gifts, for those born in August. 

In ancient times, Egypt was the primary source of the peridot, called the ‘Gem of the Sun.' The Egyptians were extremely fascinated with the stone, and they were made into Talisman to ward off evil. Interestingly, the gemstones worn by Queen Cleopatra were not emeralds as it was widely believed, but actually the peridot.

While all peridots are green, it is found in different shades spanning from pale green, olive-green to even bright lime. The most expensive Peridots are sparkling lime-green without brown or yellow hues.  

Below are our top peridot picks at Alfies...

1940s 14k gold ring, available from Pars Jewellery

9kt yellow gold ring, c1960s, available from Pars Jewellery

Peridot & diamond 18kt gold ring, c1920s, offered by Naneen Brooks

Russian 14k gold ring and earring set, with peridot, blue topaz and amethyst, c1960s, available from Pars Jewellery

9kt gold peridot & amethyst pendant, c1920s, available from Naneen Brooks

St Valentine's Day

St Valentine's Day - hated by some, loved by others - is approaching again. Now associated with mass produced greetings cards and overpriced roses, this celebration actually has simpler roots. Popular legend tells us that there was once a Saint Valentine of Rome who was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry, and also for ministering to Christians, at that time persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to the tale, during his imprisonment he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.

The day was not recognisable as it is to us now until the Middle Ages, when Geoffrey Chaucer wrote 'Parliament of Fowls' containing the first reference to “Saint Valentine’s Day” as an occasion for romance. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "Valentines").

These days the 14th of February is whatever you make it and here at Alfies we advocate love all year round! However, for those of you who still like the tradition of giving gifts, here is our pick of romantic offerings at Alfies Antique Market:

1980s white and black diamond baguette ring, 18ct white gold, available from Pars Jewellery.

Victorian gold acorn earrings, offered by Gareth Brooks

18ct white gold earrings by "Asprey", diamond & aquamarine, offered by Gareth Brooks

Taittinger poster backed on linen, 46cm x 62cm, available from Dodo Posters.

Collection of  Wedgwood candle holders from 1967, available from Robinson Antiques.

Gilded bronze, enamel frame, 1890-1900, available from Hayman & Hayman.

Christian Dior silk gown, 1950s, available from June Victor.

1960s 18ct gold swirl ring with 0.5 carat centre diamond, available from Pars Jewellery.

London nights...

Like most Londoners, we are always keen to find new, inspiring and slightly 'different' places to spend some memorable hours.We have recently come across a fantastic looking venue which we will definitely pay a visit very soon. We are actually slightly embarrassed to admit that this is the first time we have heard of it, given how it is the world's oldest surviving Grand Music Hall. The venue we are talking about is Wilton's Music Hall near London's Tower Hill. Both, the Mahogany Bar and the actual Music Hall look stunning and promise to be quite an enjoyable adventure!

Another night out we are excited about is the club ShugaPush, a night of hot jazz, swing and blues from the 1920s to the 1940s which is held on the fourth Saturday of each month at the most wonderful cocktail bar Positively 4th Street. The place alone is well worth a visit probably being London's most beautiful Art Deco style bar. We love going there after work just to watch the mesmerizing ceiling fans while sipping a well crafted cocktail.

ShugaPush is the club night in London that first played only original 78s and this month's event will see its 4th birthday, how very apt! So get there on the 26th of March to listen and dance to the lovingly selected records played by resident DJs Swing Maniac, Kid Krupa and Tim's Jumpin' Jive.

We at Alfies love a night at a good speakeasy with the exciting feeling of doing something a little bit forbidden. There are more and more of these establishments popping up in London and the top one on our list is the Candlelight Club which is held in a secret London venue. The place is completely lit by candles, and for each event they offer a different, one-off cocktail menu. Events sell out quickly so get in there soon!

To get the perfect look or to even create a dingy prohibition night atmosphere in your living room, why not pop down to Alfies for a shopping spree? Please find below some ideas we collected for you:

A selection of beautiful vintage statement necklaces from Naneen Brooks

Very cute tea cups available in Beth's shop

A lovingly displayed selection of great vintage clothes and accessories at Dandy Dolls

A lovingly displayed selection of great vintage clothes and accessories at Dandy Dolls

Fantastic vintage accessories in Carole Collier's shop on the 2nd floor

Beautiful vintage lights in Renato's shop on the ground floor

Breathtaking selection of costume jewellery and handbags at Tony Durante's on the ground floor

A great variety of candle holders of a selection from Zeeba Jewels and Hayman & Hayman
on the ground floor

Beautiful, impressive candle sticks at Biis Century in the Quad