Telling Tales

The exhibition Telling Tales at the V&A is just brilliant and is definitely worth a visit. A selection of furniture and product designers are let loose with the theme of the dark and rather eerie side of fairytales and story telling. What results is a combination of furniture and objects that you would only dream of existing in real life - the question is, is it art or is it just amazing furniture?

The whole exhibition seems to revolve around blending the boundaries between art and design. It is an issue that is almost impossible to resolve and that seems to throw up more questions than answers. Here are a few pieces from the exhibition:

'Heatwave' Radiator by Joris Laarman. This radiator was playfully based on a Roccoco fireplace from Winchester House in London from about 1750.

This chair and ceiling lamp named 'The Divine Comedy' by Niels van Eijk has been etched with the story of the same named poem by Dante, with thieves suffering in hell depicted on the chair and angels from heaven on the lamp.

The 'Rubber Baron Table' by Studio Job was my favourite piece of the exhibition (aside from the slippers made out of moles!) It is based on the 19th Century industrialists whose affluence and power was unequalled.

Wandering though Alfies there are always objects that make me think of storytelling and whisk my imagination away to distant lands.

Colin Thompson on the second floor at Alfies is the perfect place to start the search for fairytales. He has a large range of storybooks for both children and adults. Stuwwelpeter is one of my favourite books, by German author Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann.

This re-upholstered chair from The Upholstery Workshop is fit for a princess. As is this gorgeous 18th Century Swedish sofa (with pull-out bed and the original horse hair cushions) from Christopher Hall. It would make anyone feel like a real life sleeping beauty.

Have you ever visited the second floor mezzanine? It feels like you are stepping into a glass wonderland. The impressive chandeliers by Vincenzo Caffarella with their incredible shapes and forms would easily transform any room into a magical place.

Francesca Martire on the first floor also has some stunning chandeliers like this one below made from hundreds of white glass flowers.


Something that really caught my eye this week was this very unusual Danish cow hide chair from Tycho Andrews.

I'm not sure what sort of history could be attached to this but in my opinion it would make an incredible story telling chair. Imagine on a dark winter's evening in front of a crackling fire, the children gather round ready to be scared stiff and delighted by the old tales their grandfather tells them... or is that just me?!

Alfies Great Treasure Hunt - 5th September

Join Alfies Antique Market on Saturday 5^th September and take up the challenge to navigate its labyrinth of dealers and be part of Alfies’ Great Treasure Hunt to raise money for St John’s Hospice.

We will ask you to make a voluntary donation of £1 to enter the hunt, while Alfies dealers will also make donations. All proceeds raised will go to St John’s Hospice, which provides invaluable support and care to anyone in Central and North West London suffering from a terminal illness.

Taking part in the treasure hunt will give you the chance to win a myriad of prizes from Alfies. There will be something for everyone who enters as a thank you for their donation, as well as the opportunity to win a mystery gift.

Alfies Great Treasure Hunt is a wonderful chance to explore Alfies from head to toe, you may chance upon such wonderful items as:

a 1930s hand-painted Burleigh pottery egg-cruet set

£65 by Beverley

a stunning 1930/40s ring with aquamarine and diamonds

£1000 by Connie Speight

or an egg shaped French Limoges box with a photo frame hidden inside

price on enquiry by Hayman & Hayman

So join Alfies and its dealers on the 5^th of September to unearth some treasures and help raise funds for a great cause.

Alfies Great Treasure Hunt: Saturday 5^th September, 10am-6pm.

Nearest tube: Marylebone or Edgware Road.

Admission free with a voluntary donation of £1.

For more information please call 020 7723 6066 or visit

www.alfiesantiques.com

For more information on St. John's Hospice visit

www.stjohnshospice.org.uk

Art Noveau Enchantment

Art Noveau is one of my most favoured art styles, the free-flowing shapes and beautifully designed items from this era have an elegant and light quality. Artists from the Art Noveau period are famed for breaking free from the repeated rigidity of earlier eras and they were highly inspired by organic forms, which spurred exciting intertwined designs. These liberated flowing shapes of Art Noveau were a bridge between the old and the new, and lead design into the 20th century.


Staircase, Emile Tassel House, Brussels, Belgium and Art Nouveau female by Alphonse Mucha

The name Art Noveau itself was taken from a gallery called Maison de l'Art Noveau opened in 1895 by Samuel Bing in Paris.


Entrance to Samuel Bing's gallery in Paris

Bing was an experimental art collector and he wanted to defend the applied and decorative arts and started exhibiting the avant-garde work of contemporary artists, such as Camille Claudel, Fernand Khnopff, William Degouves de Nuncques, Edward Munch, Auguste Rodin, Victor Rousseau, Paul Signac, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, amongst others. As Art Noveau spread throughout Europe, the style took on country specific names: Jugend in Germany, Arte joven in Spain, Arte nuova in Italy and Nieuwe kunst in the Netherlands.

Other noted artists and designers of this era are Gustav Klimt, Charles Rennie Macintosh. Alphonse Mucha and Rene Lalique. In the UK, the style of Art Noveau was spurred by the Arts and Crafts Movement. Artists such as Aubrey Beardsley commanded the form of Art Noveau in excellence and his delicate patterned drawings contain many of the characteristics of this era.




Images from 'La Morte D’Arthur and Venus from 'The Yellow Book'




Beardsley's stunning cover to 'Salome - a tragedy in one act'


The free flowing organic shapes of Art Noveau can be found in objects at Alfies such as this beautiful mirror with silver mounted frame, Birmingham 1906, and the magnifying glasses, all from Goldsmith & Perris





From left to right:
Ivory handle and silver bands, Sheffield 1897
Silver handle, Sheffield 1905
Mother of pearl and silver plated, ca 1900


This ornate silver card case, made in Birmingham 1900, shows the organic shapes of Art Noveau, also from Goldsmith & Perris




Floral patterned glass inkwell with silver overlay, ca 1900, from Magna Carta Antiques





A slightly more stylistic interpretation of the organic design can be seen in this Liberty pewter fruit bowl with new liner. Designed by Archibald Knox, ca 1905 from Robinson Antiques




Women’s accessories took on new shapes and designs when the organic forms of Art Noveau were coupled with jewellery, like this French Art Nouveau 18 ct gold heart locket with rose cut diamonds, from Pari’s jewellery.




Other exciting new shapes were these six silver buttons with Art Nouveau ladies, complete with box, hallmarked 1908, from Connie Speight, they show the beauty, elegance and flowing forms of the era.



Or this English evening clasp bag made with painted mesh and nouveau frame, from Sheila Cameron



In its heyday, Art Noveau became more than the aesthetics of art and design, it became a life style where freedom and elegance was incorporated into daily life. Live by this motto and find exquisite items at Alfies to enrich you!

Summer weddings

Something old, something new, something borrowed…

There is something so exciting about a summer wedding; it can be one of the most beautiful times of the year to get married. Whether you are the bride or groom, bridesmaid or a guest looking for the perfect gift, Alfies is a great place to hunt around for all your wedding needs.

Vintage wedding dresses are so often intricately made and traditionally have such unusual detail and individual style. The dress can set the theme for the wedding and from the quiet elegance of the 1920’s to the glamorous 1950’s, you are sure to find something exquisite from Tony Durante’s extensive collection.

He also has a fantastic array of accompanying bags and wedding shoes (such a tricky item to find!).

Pearls are a great summer choice for wedding jewellery. Think simple and understated to accompany your dress.

A deilicate seed pearl necklace with 5 strands. The clasp is in gold with diamonds, rubies and pearls.

Offered by Gareth Brooks

Something new? Why not try a new hairstyle courtesy of Nina’s Hair Salon and get spoilt in Isadora’s Pamper parlour for an afternoon or get your makeup done for the big day?

They stock a large selection of hair accessories to enhance any wedding look. For a touch of sparkle, Persiflage has a range of elaborate tiaras.

Pari's Jewellery also has this stunning pair of Topaz Earring, for that something blue!

A pair of 18kt white gold and blue topaz drop earrings.

Offered by Pari's Jewellery

Attending a wedding? For an individual look, brighten up your outfit with some beautiful summer accessories (The Originals - Paola & Iaia and Deborah Woolf Vintage to name a few) or better yet, find the perfect summer dress in ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’.

Bussle Back Dress

An usual bussle back cotton & pique spaghetti strap dress- size 10-12

My favourite thing about weddings is that it’s the perfect occasion to wear a hat. Both Tin Tin Collectables and June Victor have a wide variety of hats from the traditional to the quirky that you won’t be able to resist to try on for that special look.

A selection of June Victor's hats

Finally for the perfect gift.... From silver candlesticks to coffee spoons, Goldsmith & Perris have a large selection of silver for something traditional.

A pair of 20th Century silver column style candlesticks, Sheffield 1915

Offered by Goldsmith & Perris

If in doubt, let the bride and groom make the important decisions with some Alfies gift vouchers that will always go down a treat!

Alfies in The Independent!

Alfies in The Independent on Saturday's Best 50 Markets!

We were very pleased to hear that the Independent on Saturday's supplement The Information has named Alfies as its number 2 market in the Best 50 Markets article!



Read the article here.

The Second Floor in Alfies

Here in Alfies we have four floors of amazing stands filled with unique items. This week's blog focuses on the second floor, where you will find a great mix of unusual collectables ranging from kitsch 50's tea sets from Ian Broughton to beautiful vintage lace from June Victor.

June sells a range of textiles from the 18th Century up until the 1940's, encompassing costume, lace, ribbons and table and bed linen. Her costumes and related accessories are constantly supplied to films and theatre.

Adjacent to June's stand is Nigel Martin, here you can find a wealth of vintage fabric, fixings and trimmings.

Persiflage specialises in similar items; textiles, vintage clothes and accessories. Like June's and Nigel's, this is a real treasure trove of a shop. You can find amazing 1960s dresses alongside drawers full of vintage buttons and trimmings, all reasonably priced.

The Originals have lots of fantastic and unique pieces of jewellery that I could spend hours looking at! Recently I have been admiring their collection from French costume jewellery designer Lea Stein.

Just opposite The Originals you will find East West Antiques. Colin Thompson who runs the stand has a variety of specialisms including Oriental objects and decoratives, illustrated books (including children's books) and collectible toys and related ephemera.

Francesco Bettoni deals in original artwork mainly from the 1970s. His constantly varying stock encompasses many disciplines including sculpture, painting, prints, and photography. All the artworks are signed originals from renowned international artists.

Ian Broughton's shop Manic Attic is crammed full of amazing kitsch finds from 1930's-60's. You can find quirky glasses, lighting record players and household items that will take you back to another
time.

Art and Decorative Design, have a great range of 20th Century decorative objects, with a focus on lighting, furniture and contemporary art. This is an ideal destination for collectors and interior designers alike.

Beverley is a well established antiques dealer who specialises in glass, ceramics, porcelain and English china. There really is something for everyone here, from the pretty tea cups to Clarice Cliff hand painted plates.

Trevor Lewis Vintage Glass & Decorative Objects is a relatively new dealer to the market, but with 15 years experience in the antiques trade under his belt, he has brought a fantastic array of decorative items to Alfies. This ranges from Art Deco vases to kitsch glass objects.

So make a bee line for the Second Floor Gallery and see what treasures you can find!