Friday 23 August 2013

Summer Florals


English Mother of Pearl beaded clutch bag, 1920s
Offered by Tony Durante



 

Losol Jardinere Vase c1890
Offered by Beth Adams




Worcester 'Aesthetic Movement 1878
Offered by Janes Antiques





 1940s Handpainted Evening Dress
Offered by Velvet Atelier 


1930s Rosenthal Cup & Saucer
Offered by Gloria Sinclair 




1950s Yellow, gold and platinum brooch
Offered by Pari's Jewellery

Saturday 10 August 2013

Baby Jewellery

In recent times, jewellery for babies has become more practical, for example to hold a jacket closed, a bib in place or keep a dummy safe. In ancient history, babies were adorned with ornate jewellery to denote their place in the tribe. In the Victorian era, coral beads, silver lockets, bead necklaces and little bracelets were fashionable. Coral was thought to ward off ill health so babies wore small beaded necklaces and bracelets of coral. The word "Baby" would usually be embossed on tiny brooches and bracelets, these were often given as christening presents, which would become keepsakes passed down from generation to generation.  

A selection of vintage baby jewellery from the 1920s - 1960s. Offered by Paola & Iaia - The Originals
Most antique/vintage baby jewellery is quite fancy, many of the pendants are heart shaped, bangles have elaborate designs, while some are plain to allow the plate to be engraved with the baby's birth date or name. Matching necklaces or bracelets for the parents were also common. In Italy, charms are traditional gifts, the charm depicts what is wished for the baby's future,  for example a bear charm for a boy symbolises masculinity and strength, a ballerina symbolises gracefulness.
 
Cute little brooches became popular in the mid century, usually caricature's of animals.  
 From Paola & Iaia - The Originals


Visit The Originals on the Second Floor for more jewellery and accessories,
Stand S057/58.



Friday 2 August 2013

Swansea Baroness Burdett Coutts Plates

We recently came across two very rare porcelain plates in Alfies. Both pieces are part of a large Swansea service made for the banker Thomas Coutts in 1815. The dinner plates are part of a collection of 320 porcelain pieces. Two of these beautiful plates can be found at Chris Janes Antiques on the ground floor.

The plates were part of a service which belonged to Angela, Baroness Burdett-Coutts who died in 1906.
Angela Burdett-Coutts was a 19th century philanthropist and the daugther of Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet and the former Sophia Coutts, daughter of banker Thomas Coutts. In 1837 she became the wealthiest woman in England when she inherited her grandfather's fortune.

The service was sold at Christie's on 9th May 1922, where it was noted the service had been ordered by the banker Thomas Coutts from Mortlocks in 1816, in celebration of his marriage to the actress Harriet Mellon.

It has been said that the Queen also owns a plate from the same service!





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