Fathers' Day - 20th June

We thought we'd give you plenty of warning about Fathers' Day this year. The temptation is to leave any present buying until the last minute, but you know you'll end up getting your Dad a CD or book!

So we've had a wander round Alfies for you and picked out some highlights that might appeal to your Pops. Something that will be a bit different and show him what he means to you...

If your Dad's a dapper dresser then how about Hell to Pay's collection of men's vintage. The prices are reduced so you are sure to pick up something that is not only suave and sophisticated but bargainous to boot.

Robinson Antiques is a good place to stop off with a fine selection of Art Deco accessories, including silverplate cocktailware, cufflinks and lighters.

While at Goldsmith & Perris, browse for a Fathers' Day gift amongst everything from hip-flasks to champagne buckets, matchstrikers to magnifying glasses and card-holders to paper knives.

Our jewellery dealers have a great range of cufflinks to choose from, whether looking for some 1970s cocktail classics, or more elegant Edwardian styles.

But if you are really stuck, or your Dad is a tricky one to choose for, there are always Alfies Gift Certificates. A sure-fire hit...

Happy Fathers' Day Dads!

Louis Vuitton Collector's Paradise

As the new Louis Vuitton store opens on Bond Street this week, the brand seeks to emphasise that this is not just a shop but a place to evoke the heritage and legacy of luxury, which Louis Vuitton encompasses.

Maison is designed with the theme 'collector' in mind, "Reflecting Louis Vuitton's art-de-vivre and savoir-faire, conceived as the home of a collector . . . [it] gives visitors opportunities to discover new and exciting experiences." Guardian.co.uk

Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton Malletier who developed the first flat bottomed trunks with trianon canvas which meant they were lightweight, airtight and could be stacked. This was a huge step forward for the travel industry and many others copied this design. To further protect his brand Louis Vuitton started using the damier canvas pattern (see below) with the unmistakable LV logo to stand out from the imitations starting off what was to become and internationally recognised and successful brand.

Walking through Alfies it is hard not to be taken in by the amount of history surrounding the artifacts and objects on the shelves. There are some very special pieces of luggage that resonate with the golden age of travel when journeys were a little more glamourous, if a bit more time consuming than they are today.

Furniture Lighting and Luggage. From Manley J Black


Louis Vuitton suitcase from the 1920s. From Travers Antiques

Head to the second floor for Tin Tin Collectables' new vintage luggage and travelling accessories shop for some serious collectors items.

Stencilled Noah & the Arc Trunk - Perfect for a Child's Toy Box!


Selection of Antique & Vintage Trunks, all from Tin Tin Collectables.

Antique and vintage luggage can be used in so many ways. Whether they are used for storage or as a sensational statement piece, the true beauty lies in the history, journeys and secret stories they contain.

Alfies' 2nd Nostalgia Event this Saturday!

We can't believe it's already been five weeks since our last event here at Alfies which was the first of our Nostalgia Saturdays series. We trust that all of you who attended had just as wonderful a time as ourselves. The music really did set a perfect backdrop for a vintage inspired Saturday spent discovering countless treasures in the market as well as enjoying a lunch or a little snack and a beverage on the sunny Rooftop Restaurant's terrace.

So we have travelled back in time and enjoyed some wonderful 20's and 30's music, poetry and readings, we feel it is now time to take a leap into the past again.
This time we have dedicated our Nostalgia Saturday to the very eventful and exciting 40's and 50's.
We would be delighted to welcome you on our little time travel adventure and tap your feet to the music provided by Dollar Bill and Greaser Leo!

And why not give in to temptation and treat yourself to a tasty milkshake and burger in the Rooftop Restaurant, we know we will!

You can still RSVP to info@alfiesantiques.com or call 020 7723 6066 to receive our lovely event directory for you to print out and bring along on Saturday.

Nostalgia Saturday

In keeping with our 1940s- 1950s Nostalgia Saturday next weekend, we are looking forward to people coming dressed in their finest vintage attire.

If you are not so brave with wearing head to toe vintage, a great way to get the vintage look is by using appropriate accessories. During this period women compensated for the simple dresses they had to wear by jazzing up their outfits with bakelite jewellery, fake flowers and more decadent accessories.

Below are some items of inspiration from Alfies.

A selection of bakelite and celluloid jewellery from The Originals.

A pair of 1950's pink lucite and perspex shoes with pastel diamentes from The Girl Can't Help It



A matching carved Art Deco pink celluloid bangle and bakelite necklace from The Originals.



Stunning 1940s rose diamond, emerald, ruby long drop earrings from Paris Jewellery



A 1940's black fabric evening bag with diamantes from Tony Durante

Hope to see you all at next weeks Nostalgia Saturday! For a more detailed progamme of events email lindsay@alfiesantiques.com

VE Day - May 8th

May 8th 1945 was Victory in Europe Day - heralding the end of the Second World War, when the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. It was a day of celebration for millions of people. We've had a little look around Alfies to see what beautiful pieces we could find of the period and here are a few of the highlights...

Rare model of Stilnovo writing desk lamp, Italy 1945
Modo Italia

A pair of unworn M43 Second World War US army rough-out boots
The Girl Can't Help It

1940s enamelled on silver gilt bracelet with leaf and flower detail
Gareth Brooks

This beautiful 1940s suit is by "Hebe Sports". The Scottish boucle tweed has a pleated skirt over a tightly waisted jacket.
Tin Tin Collectables

Castaside

This month we are saying a fond farewell to well established dealer in Alfies called David Smith. David has been in Alfies since 1997 and we are all sad to see him go!

His stock includes theatre ephemera, posters, programmes, brochures, leaflets and flyers, a real treasure trove of a stand!

Below i have picked some interesting examples of programmes.

"Cinderella" at the London Palladium


Programme from Embassy Theatre, Peterborough

"Berenice" by Jean Racine at The Savoy Theatre



"Goody Two Shoes" Pantomine


"Anything Goes" at Prince Edward Theatre.

St George's Day

23rd of April is St George's Day, which gave us a good excuse to have a look at all the wonderful English pieces our dealers have on offer at Alfies.

English solid silver egg set, Sheffield 1907
Janes Antiques


An English composition frame with swept detailing. Circa 1880
William Campbell Fine Frames and Framing


1940s/1950s English oak and leather desk
Bent Ply


A beautifully shaped and detailed English clutch with red and white beading
Tony Durante


A rare 18th Century English mirror with a white frame
Stephen Lazarus

These are just a few of the examples of English craftsmanship and design at Alfies. They are definitely something to celebrate!

Alfies' 1st Nostalgia Event this Saturday!

We are very excited here at Alfies about the first of our series of Nostalgia Events this Saturday, please see below the programme of events!

11am - Reading by Bethany
A Collection of Short Poems by
Emily Bronte, John Keats & Oscar Wilde

11.30am - Talk by Peter Brooks
'Some Interesting Facts and A Few
Popular Fallacies About Jewellery'

12pm - 3pm - Lunch

3pm - 5pm - Afternoon Tea

3:30pm - Guitar Duet from The Kings Cross Hot Club

4pm - Reading from Bethany
'Tender is the Night' by F.Scott Fitzgerald
& 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien


PLUS: Music throughout the day with Guitar Duets from
The Kings Cross Hot Club around the market
&
DJ Kid Krupa playing fabulous Hot Jazz and Swing from
the 1920's and 30's in the Rooftop Restaurant

All events will be held in Alfies' Rooftop Restaurant.

You can still RSVP to info@alfiesantiques.com or call 020 7723 6066 to receive our lovely event directory for you to print out and bring along on Saturday.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Alfies Nostalgia Saturdays

On Saturday 17th April, Alfies Antique Market will begin its series of nostalgia events, celebrating all things vintage, with the glamorous and elegant era of the pre-1920s to 1930s.

Customers will be taken back in time and given the opportunity to see highlights from our dealers’ collections, enjoy music and readings from the period, learn more about the era, partake in tea at the Rooftop Restaurant and much more! RSVP to receive the full programme of vintage activities.

Alfies’ Nostalgia Saturdays are a wonderful chance to explore the market in a different way. Our special pre-1920s to 1930s directory will be on hand to guide you. Keep your eyes on our blog for details of how to download this or RSVP to info@alfiesantiques.com to receive your free copy!

For some beautiful pre 1920s-1930s items available at Alfies visit our Flickr page.

The Nostalgia Saturdays continue in May with the 1940s-1950s and June with the 1960s-1970s. So join Alfies and its dealers on the 17th of April at the start of our vintage celebration.

Quilts & Textiles

For all you make do and menders, crafters and textile enthusiasts, have you heard about an exciting exhibition that is on at the V&A at the moment? Quilts: 1700 - 2010 is the V&A's first ever exhibition of British made quilts!

Rajah Quilt, Made by convicts on board HMS Rajah, 1841, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

With an innovative approach to the display there will be 65 quilts on show from the V&A's extensive collection as well as special loans from around the country and abroad.

Right to Life, by Grayson Perry, 1998.

Coverlet (detail), Ann West, U.K. 1820.

Modern quilts from Grayson Perry and Tracy Emin as well as specially commissioned pieces from Sue Stockwell and Caren Garfen will remind us how relevant quilts and craft in general is today.

It looks to be a very beautiful and informative exhibition that will give you some great inspiration for your own projects as well as being a lovely way to spend the Easter weekend! The exhibition runs until the 4th July 2010.

For even more inspiration after your visit to the V&A, head to Duncan Clarke of Adire African Textiles at Alfies. Duncan sources exceptional museum quality pieces that map the vintage textile traditions of sub-Saharan Africa.

Asafo Flag from Adire African Textiles

Two items that always catch my eye from Adire African Textiles are the Asafo flags and the Ewe Cloths.

Asfato flags, also known as 'frankaa' are made and used by the Fante people of coastal Ghana. The men's 'military' companies parade these flags on festive occasions and the imagery used on these colourful flags represents the wealth and power of the company as well as challenging their rivals, usually through traditional proverbs. Older flags can be identified by their 'battle scars' from the length of time hung outside in all weathers and parades. Flags with no marks or damage are quite often copies made for tourists!

Asafo Flag from Adire African Textiles

Ewe Kente cloths are absolutely stunning with each cloth showing exceptional skill of both craftmanship from the Ewe weavers of Ghana and in the extensive range of the styles created. No wonder they are the most highly prized pieces of African textiles by collectors worldwide! The colours and patterns are simply incredible! These were traditionally commissioned by a man or woman as cloth to wear but now could be treasured as a wall hanging, bedspread, or simply just brought out now and again to admire!

Examples of Ewe Cloths (above and below)

Adire African Textiles have a great website and blog where you can learn in depth about these fantastic and historical pieces and traditions.

All photos from the Quilts: 1700 - 2010 exhibition were taken from the V&A Website.