Mothers Day

I love my mum. She has been a great support in my adventures throughout life so I dedicate this blog to all lovely, supportive and beautiful mothers out there. At Alfies we have a wide selection of items for funky mums. Let mum have a night out, with our without dad, in this 1950s Kelly green bubble bottom cocktail dress from The Girl Can’t help It



The glamorous mum would love this stylish Victorian set containing a 15ct gold brooch and a pair of earrings garnished with seed pearls and garnet,



presented in their original fitted box, c.1860 from Marie Antiques.

For the more ethnic conscious mum, Victor Caplin offers matching bracelet and earrings



containing Mediterranean precious red coral, or mum may like to be gifted with impressive African textiles from Duncan Clarke such as this Yoruba women's wrapper cloth, early 20th century, woven from hand-spun indigo-dyed thread and magenta trans-Saharan silk with cotton.



For mums who like to sew and make clothes themselves, June Victor offers textiles, lace and these gorgeous Victorian cape fasteners, which mum can utilize to make a trendy cape.



Mums who want to have a cosy time, can enjoy this cute 19th Century Terracotta Victorian Ridgway & Abingdon cup & saucer and the Samuel Alcock jug to make a brew to soothe the stresses of daily life from W & L Antiques



Or if mum really feels she wants to splash out on a fabulous dinner, she can serve her sumptuous cooking with this blue and white 'Aster' patterned Minton Dinner Service



from Gloria Sinclair.

LOVE LONDON AWARDS 2009

Alfies Antique Market has been nominated for the Smooth Radio Love London Awards 2009 with The Independent and ITV Tonight!!

We are currently in the top ten of the best independent shops in London. To win our category we must get as many of you lovely people to vote for us.

Every vote counts! Please support us and help us win this award!!!

You can vote by clicking here.

Mad Men 4 Alfies: Part 1

By guest writer, Katie Lipton

Since Mad Men hit our screens, I have to confess I've been completely hooked. I love the show's aesthetic, the structured, beautiful colour, perfect lines and shapely cuts. It makes me think that perhaps we’ve all got a little bit sloppy and I personally would like to get back to the creativity and experimental attitude from the mad men era.

In a five part series of posts, I'll be exploring the details that keep me addicted to watching Mad Men; the fashion, the jewellery, the hair styles, the interior design and of course the advertising. With the dealers at Alfies that specialize in the 1950s & 60s eras, it’s easy to be transformed into Betty or Joan, and get rid of our lazy naughties ways…oooh exciting!

The Fashion

It’s not just the dynamic characters and snappy, quick dialogue that make the life of the turbo-powered advertising agency Sterling Cooper so intriguing. It’s the clothes!

With style to die for, the characters in Mad Men look both charismatic and stylish. Don Draper looks impeccable, as does the entire male cast. The men are in plaid suits with all the sleek trimmings — tie pins, Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, fedoras, monogrammed dress shirts, and elegant slim ties — with their hair perfectly Brylcreemed into place.

Roger Sterling rocks the three piece suit in a way that makes him sexy, suave, and sophisticated while Pete Campbell’s blue plaid suits are a thing of pure beauty. What’s great about the male cast’s wardrobe is the way it reflects their character and personality in a way I just don’t feel a mans’ outfit does these days...has Mad Men stylist Janie Bryant turned Don Draper, Pete Campbell and Roger Sterling into the most fanciable men on television?

Whether it's Betty's cashmere casual or Joan's form-fitting office wear, the women always look simply gorgeous and utterly feminine. I also love how the outfits are juxtaposed against each other to further distinguish character. From Joan, the sexy secretary with the sumptuous hour glass figure (wouldn’t you kill for that waist!) who wears skirts and blouses that really make the most of her assets, to Betty, the picture perfect wife and suburban princess, who is always playing the part in her belted crinoline dresses and pearls, cigarette pants and perfect sweater or cardigan.

Their outfits all reflect a mischievous primness that designers today are increasingly trying to recreate. I say…why recreate when you can have the original vintage 50’s and 60’s clothing from Alfies?

From the top: the leading ladies of Mad Men looking stunning. A 1960s pink crystal embroidered chiffon dress from Persiflage at Alfies. 1950s Hawaiian Cotton green fish print circle dress with fish appliques and a 1950's Pink dropwaist soft folded dress, both from The Girl Can't Help It at Alfies.




From top left: 1950's felt hat with red parrot detail with green bakelite beak from Tin Tin Collectables. A pair of black patent and three different shades of blue stilettos and dark blue patent leather handbag both from June Victor. A set 1960's Gucci suitcases from Paolo Bonino. All from Alfies Antique Market.

Treasures in the house

Spring is getting near, only a month until Spring Equinox and the days will get longer again. Now is the perfect time to start digging for pieces to celebrate spring, pieces that can only be found in a place like Alfies.
Gareth Brooks offers a fascinating Cat-Gut Bracelet made into delicate interlinked shapes and a Serpent shaped brooch made from ivory.





Or perhaps a bone necklace from Linda Chan?



These pieces will surely keep anyone entertained at a dinner party. Running out of luck? Then head for Pari’s Jewellery to get a Lucky Charm brooch featuring slender hands to enable you to grab all that you want.



In the need for an unusual Sweet Basket or a keepsake for tea? This cute butterfly adorned one from Linetta Greco can help to keep all those chocolates in one place and the beautifully Japanese imaged tea tin from Renato is perfect to house your favourite tea.





If you are more of a coffee fan, then get these quirky and colourful coffee spoons from Goldsmith & Perris to enjoy your afternoon treat.



For art lovers we can offer a psychedelic feast, have a look at Moreschi Modern & Contemporary Art for impressive art such as the optical illusion of Alberto Biasi.



As fashion is encouraging us to mix and match these days, the combination of a Pirate Chest handbag from The Girl Can’t Help It and a pretty tiara from Persiflage should do the trick.





Feel the Spring nearing - come and explore Alfies.

Alfies on Twitter!

It may or may not surprise you that Alfies is on Twitter. To some, it might seem a little odd mixing antiques and this new fandangled tool of communication. But we thought that Twitter was a great way, in addition to this blog, to keep you all updated on all that’s happening over here at Alfies and or course talk to you all about all things antique, retro and vintage. So, become an Alfies follower on Twitter!

Valentine's Day

In my opinion Valentine's day always comes with mixed emotions. For the people in a relationship and that way inclined it is a day of love and romantic offerings. For others it is filled with arguments and tears when the gifts are all wrong or just plain forgotten. Then there are the people who just aren't really all that bothered. I think I probably fall into the latter category although I must admit it I don't mind the occasional card, but only if it's a bit different from all the pink fluff and rather boring cards that usually get banded about at this time of the year.

Something more like this would be excellent! A unique card to value and probably hide away in a memory box to make you smile in years to come. These are from a box full of lovely designs sold by Colin Thompson (on the second floor of Alfies.)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!

Dark Times for Waterford Wedgwood

Waterford Wedgwood has been forced to call in the administrators after 250 years in business. This international symbol of quality British craftsmanship and design will be sorely missed by the collectors of Wedgwood and also by the many hundreds of workers and families whose skills, passed down through generations are forced to shut up shop. There is still some hope for this renouned business as buyers may step in to purchase parts of the company and keep production going, but like the rest of the economy at the moment nothing is certain.

Wedgewood was started by Josiah Wedgwood in England in 1759. Waterford was started in Ireland in 1783. The two merged in 1986 bringing together two of the most recognised brands in fine crystal and china. Their famous brands include Waterford Crystal, Wedgewood and Royal Doulton fine bone china and Rosenthal porcelain.

Image source: The Guardian.
To view more photos of Waterford Wedgwood click here for The Guardian online.

When Josiah Wedgwood started as an apprentice in his brothers workshop he must have had little idea how successful his future business was to become. Now remembered as the 'Father of the English Potters' Wedgwood earnt this title through his innovative approach to ceramics and the advancement he brought to his company.

In 1762 Wedgwood created a cream-coloured tea and coffee set for Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. She was so pleased with the set she allowed him to use the name 'Potter to Her Majesty' and use the name Queens Ware. This was the start of Wedgwood's illustrious career. His three most famous contributions to the ceramics industry include Queens Ware, Black Basalt a fine black porcelain, and a new type of stoneware Jasper. Later in his career Wedgwood also invented the pyrometer. This instrument allowed for higher kiln temperatures to be measured and is considered by some the most important development in ceramic history since the Chinese invented procelain over 1000 years before.

I've been having a look around Alfies searching for some Waterford Wedgwood pieces to remind myself of the range of items the company produced. Wesley Payne showed me a couple of items he has at the moment including this beautiful Royal Doulton floral tea set from 1933:

He also has a much older piece from 1880 reminding me just how long Wedgwood has been going:

Just across the corridor Janes Antiques were also hiding a few Wedgwood treasures such as this large soup terrine:

The figurines below are Royal Doulton and are called the Four Seasons as each figurine represents a season of the year:

I am guessing now that the company has called in administrators, Waterford Wedgwood crystal and fine china will, if it is at all possible, become even more collectable. Something that will mean the Waterford Wedgwood name will continue to live and be remembered on for many more years to come.

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince

Photos taken from the Bauer Griffin blog, you can see the rest of their photos here.

Yet again Kate Moss was hustled by photographers as she stepped out of Alfies with boyfriend Jaime Hince in December. Luckily Alfies is such a great hideaway from the press she could enjoy a relaxed day of shopping. Looks like she stocked up on a few gifts from our dealers before heading off in her silver Bentley. That rather fetching golden palm lamp is from Lousie Verber on the first floor of Alfies. Louise has a fabulous collection of mirrored glass furniture, mirrors, lamps and Val St. Lambert lamp bases among other glamorous items. No wonder Kate and Jamie couldn't resist!

Shoes to Dance Away the Winter Blues

What is it about shoes that can make you feel so content? Every time I see some beautiful shoes I get a tingle in my toes and a surging feeling of overwhelming happiness! It is easy to see how people can become slightly obsessed and how the simple shoe can become objects to be revered and admired. Here are some beauties that I found at Alfies today:

These three fabulous pairs are all from The Girl Can't Help It.

Interview with...Beth.

Name: Beth
Stands: G023-25, S010/12 & S059/60

1. What do you sell/what service do you provide?
Anything and everything from 1870-1960s, mainly ceramics and beautiful objects.
2. How long have you been at Alfies?
26 years

3. How did you get into selling antiques?
Through family, my mother Beverley is also a dealer at Alfies.

4. What do you think makes Alfies unique?
The atmosphere and the friendships.

5. What is your favourite item you are selling at the moment and why?
A 1930s vanity overnight case. It has two compartments one for makeup, powder and perfume and the other below for jewellery. There is even a hankercheif case to keep your hankies clean and safe.

To see more of Beth's lovely items click here!