Adire African Textiles

Adire African Textiles is a small gallery based on the first floor at Alfies where you can find an extraordinary selection of hand woven African textiles. One of the best sellers in Duncan Clarke's shop are the indigo dyed vintage cotton fabrics from various parts of West Africa.

Indigo was the foundation of numerous textile traditions throughout West Africa. For centuries before the introduction of synthetic dyes the ability to transform everyday white cotton into prized deep blue cloth was a mysterious and highly valuable skill passed on by specialist dyers from generation to generation. A century ago blue and white striped cloth was the normal attire across a vast area from Senegal to Cameroon, while numerous traditions of "shibori" type resist pattern dyeing flourished. Although today only isolated pockets of real indigo dyeing remain it is still possible to source old cloths from some remote areas. Adire African Textiles stock a large collection of vintage strip weave hand-spun cotton indigo cloths which are popular for use in interior decoration as well as appealing to indigo enthusiasts and African textile collectors. Part of the appeal of indigo is the way it fades with years of wear and this is represented in many of the cloths shown.

Here's a selection of our favourite indigo cloths:

Hand-spun cotton natural indigo dyed strip woven man's cloth from north-eastern Ivory Coast. 

 Age estimated circa 1920-40.

Hand-spun cotton natural indigo dyed strip woven man's cloth from north-eastern Ivory Coast.

Age estimated circa 1920-40

Hand-spun cotton natural indigo dyed strip woven woman's cloth from north Ghana. 

Age estimated circa 1920-40

Hand-spun cotton natural indigo dyed strip woven woman's cloth from northern Ivory Coast. 

Age estimated circa 1920-40.

Hand-spun cotton natural indigo dyed strip woven woman's cloth from the Mossi peoples of Burkina Faso. 

Adire African Textiles - F013

13-25 Church Street

NW8 8DT London 

T: 07710791497

For more information visit http://www.adireafricantextiles.com/
or read more about the Mossi Indigo Wrapper Cloths here

Feliks Topolski Trunk

Feliks Topolski studied at the Warsaw Academy of Art and went on to become a war artist for Poland and Great Britain. From 1953 to 1979 he produced a fortnightly chronicle, 'Topolski's Chronicle', which communicated his art and observations to a wider audience, since his death the chronicles have gained great respect as a pictorial and political record spanning nearly thirty years of world history.
 

Feliks Topolski

We were delighted to be hear that Tin Tin Collectables Luggage have Feliks Topolski's trunk in stock..

Feliks Topolski's trunk from Tin Tin Collectables Luggage

"Feliks Topolski used this trunk on his travels as a war artist on the Western Front where he executed some of his most compelling work. He is also well known as a textile designer and his work can be seen on many a silk scarf from the 1940-1960s. He painted the 600ft mural under the Hungerford Bridge.

This trunk was made to his own design. The top opens to reveal a drop down tray, there is another tray which when removed reveals a hanging wardrobe complete with custom made hangers. The front opens show space for folded shirts."

- Leslie of Tin Tin Collectables Luggage, Stand F014.

Happy Halloween!

Alfies is the perfect destination for the lead up to Halloween, here you will spot lots of spooky antiques for your celebrations!

1960s Lea Stein Cat from The Originals - Paola & Iaia

1960s Witch Charm Bracelet from Kieron Reilly

1930s Match holder from Good Time Antiques

1940s Spider brooch from Carol Collier

1950s Halloween giveaway with treats from Tin Tin Collectables

Vintage Perfume Bottles

Since ancient times perfume bottles have been considered an art form. The container that held the perfume was considered as valuable as the perfume itself. Through the ages, perfume containers and vessels have come in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes. At Alfies you can find a nice selection of old perfume bottles.

Art Deco Perfume Bottle £135

Offered by Hayman & Hayman

Art Deco Perfume Bottle £65

Offered by W&L Antiques

C1906 Silver and Glass Perfume Bottle. £285

Offered by Goldsmith & Perris

Art Deco Perfume Bottle £95

Offered by Hayman & Hayman

C1930s Perfume Bottle £38

Offered by W&L Antiques

Crystal Perfume Bottle C1886 £325

Offered by Goldsmith & Perris

www.alfiesantiques.com

Alfies Dealers Personal Favourites

Anna - Velvet Atelier, stand G014-22
 "1920s beaded peach dress because of the intricate details and because it is fairy like!"

Andrew Martin - Mirror Master, stand F016

 "1930s mirrored vase because of the craftmanship that's gone into the bevelling and brilliant cutting."

Carol Collier, stand S041-43
"1920s/30s silk bag with matching purse because of the lovely art nouveau/deco material and beautiful clasp, the fact that it is so fragile and in amazing condition for it's age."

 Paola and Iaia - The Originals, stand S057-58
Iaia: "Late Victorian iron holder because usually practical things can be quite non decorative just utilitarian, this looks nice, a lot of work has been put into it."
Paola: "I like everything in our stand, I don't buy if I don't like."

Steven Lazarus, stand F017
"1920s French day bed because of the simplicity of the style and the ends drop down." 

Moe Heidarieh, stand G009-11

"Late Victorian Mackintosh's Toffee hammer because I have had it for 20 odd years and it's always been useful. It was originally used to break up toffee. Somebody once tried to buy it off me but I am keeping this."

Passion for Fashion

Last week the Financial Times, How To Spend It magazine published an incredible photoshoot, styled by Damien Foxe and photographed by Andrew Yee, highlighting some of this autumns trends.   As the wind picks up and the evenings become a little bit darker we thought we would give you some inspiration from Alfies vintage dealers to help welcome in winter with elegance, grace and a few amazing statement vintage pieces.

WINTER WHITES

How To Spend It - Winter White by Mugler

Vintage white dress and coat from Velvet Atelier at Alfies.

ANIMAL PRINTS

How to Spend It - Animal Prints by Wunderkind, Jimmy Choo, and Louis Vuitton

Vintage leopard print cape, £60 from Persiflage at Alfies.

VELVET

How To Spend It - Velvet by Gucci, Botega Veneta and Jimmy Choo

1960s velvet dress with feather trim, £75 from Persiflage at Alfies.

BAROQUE

How to Spend It - Baroque by Dolce & Gabbana.

Victorian/Edwardian natural pearl necklace and two pendants from Pari's Jewellery at Alfies.

1940s yellow gold and diamond cocktail ring from Pari's Jewellery at Alfies

See the full article from How To Spend It by clicking here.

Autumn Colours

Clockwise from top left: 1930s Tobacco brown felt hat, from June Victor, Erik Höglund glass decanter 1960s, from Lorna Lee Leslie, ostrich green leather chair, from Thirteen Upholstery Workshop, yellow Murano handblown cendesse vase, from Peter O'Rourke, 1950s green brocade dress, from Persiflage, gold & citrine brooch c1841, from Pars Jewellers, Victorian silk jacket, from Melinda Colthurst.       Centre: 1930s Carnelian, silver & diamond cufflinks, from Kieron Rielly

Return of the Cloche

Over the last few seasons it's been clear fashion designers have been feeling a little nostalgic with many collections showing a distinct influence from styles and cuts from previous decades.  Louis Vuitton's Autumn Winter 2012 collection includes oversized garments, giant cloche hats, heavily embellished coats and garments in deep shades with pops of colours such as yellow, purple and red.  LV's ad campaign and catwalk show earlier this year featured a custom made steamtrain and models each with their own porters carrying Louis Vuitton luggage.  At Alfies the golden age of travel and the glittering glamour of the 1920s and 30s is always a favourite.  Here are our top picks for recreating this striking Autumnal look:

Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2012 Ad Campaign

 

Louis Vuitton Catwalk Show, Paris 2012.

Image from The Sartorialist

1920s Flapper Dress with Silver Detailing. From Tin Tin Collectables.

1940s Beaded Box Bag. From Tin Tin Collectables.

Vintage Louis Vuitton Suitcase c1920s. From Travers Antiques.

1920s Geometric Print Kimono. From Velvet Atelier.

Lemon Yellow Mohair Coat. From June Victor.

Beaded Evening Bag c1920s. From Tony Durante.

1940s Crocodile Handbag. From Tony Durante.

Let there be light...

There are some great events taking place this month but our favorite is definitely The London Design Festival. Hundreds of events across London will take place showcasing the city's pivotal role in global design. Here at Alfies we're spoilt for choice when it comes to vintage designer pieces. Whether you are into Scandinavian glass, European mid-century design or English ceramics, we've got it all. For this blog post we've decided to focus on vintage lighting. Because the right lighting can make or break a room...

Elegant Italian Stilnovo chandelier, 1950s.

Stunning Brass Pendant Lamp, designed by Kazuo Motozawa for Staff Leuchten.

Pair of two rare 1970s table lamps by Raak, the Netherlands.

 Pair of hanging Italian Poliarte lighting.

Lighting designed by Tapio Wirkkala, Finland. Hand blown glass produced by Ittala, 1957-1965.

All these lights can be found in Lorna Lee Leslie's shop in the Quad on the ground floor of Alfies. Here you can find more lighting and other stunning pieces of European mid-century art and design.

www.alfiesantiques.com