EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANCE

There are four egg cups, which have been decorated with a cross punch, pierced pattern and rippled edges. The egg cups stand on a footed frame, which has the same delicate detailing. The frame has a central handle and, once you pop those eggs into the cups, the whole thing is easily transported from kitchen to table, with elegant ease.

HO,HO,HOLBORN

As Christmas is now fast approaching, things seem to becoming a bit more hectic.

Suddenly, you realise there isn't as much time for preparation as you might have hoped.

Trying to fit in the shopping, the food preparation, the parties, not to mention

CURIOSITY & WHIMSY

Hi, and welcome to our new occasional series in which we highlight some of the more unusual items

we have here at our shop. The items we will be selecting are things which always pique people’s interest, myself included.

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR

Well, the calendar has once again turned its page to September, the leaves are turning brown, heralding the advent of autumn.

Here at I.Franks, the crunch of the leaves underfoot serves to remind us that our annual  foray into the world of Lapada will soon be upon us.

This year’s fair takes place in its usual spot under the marquees in Berkeley Square, Mayfair from 15-20th September.

DING DONG, IT’S HONG KONG

We are very excited here at I. Franks, as the team have headed to Hong Kong to showcase

a collection of our silver in one of  Hong Kong’s most stylish shops, Maison Huit.

When one of the shop’s founders, Jane Chao- Lee, came down to visit the London Silver Vaults, she came into our shop and an idea was born.

OOH LA LA LAPADA

Well, here it is September again. And, down here at the London Silver Vaults, that can only mean one thing…….LAPADA!

As summer winds down and summer holidays become a distant memory we, here at I Franks,

begin to focus on what is, surely, one of the most glamorous events on the antiques calendar.

What is fantastic about Lapada is,  it gives people the opportunity to see what is exciting and unique this year ,not only silver, but all other mediums as well.

The Lighter Side Of Sssilver

Today’s blog inspiration has come to me because one of our items, here at I. Franks, is about to have a star turn on television. 
On Thursday the 16th of June if you tune into  BBC One you will find a production hosted by Fern Britton entitled ‘For What It’s Worth’

Pick Up Victorian Style

When browsing around down here in the vaults you will  notice a large selection of various silver cases in the shops.

At first glance most people assume that most of these might be cigarette cases but, upon closer inspection,you soon realise they are far too slim to hold a cigarette.

SOVEREIGN SOUVENIRS

 

Until this week most people may  have assumed that the Queen’s birthday is in June when her birthday is marked by the Birthday Parade in her honour, known as Trooping the Colour. This is a public occasion where her Majesty, members of her family and the general public gather to watch troops from the Household Division march past Her Majesty with the mounted troops taking precedence.

BEAN THERE, DRANK THAT

Java, Joe, Jitterjuice….whatever you choose to call it, there is no doubt that coffee is as popular, if not more so, than it’s  ever been.

At the moment, within 1 minutes walk from the London Silver Vaults, there are more than a dozen places where you can get a proper cup of coffee. The competition doesn't seem to stop anyone from opening new ones either, with our most recent two opening within a week of each other and close enough to throw a bean at.

Bear With Me

I have a bit of a celebrity in my midst here at I.Franks.

If you have been watching any telly over the past couple of months you might of seen him.

There is a British period drama airing on ITV at the moment , Mr. Selfridge, which tells the story of Harry Gordon Selfridge, set in London, beginning  in 1910.

The Chatelaine, A Victorian Must-have

These days we don’t have to search far to find new gadgets that are meant, somehow, to improve our lives and become items we simply can’t live without.

Having the next must have, can’t live without, item may seem like a new phenomenon but it goes back further than you might think.

Good Morning Britain

Well, What’s that I spy on the table?

Yes, that would be one of our very own kettles, enjoying a moment of fame on This Morning,

in a segment in which the presenters have to guess which, out of a selection, has the highest value.

R TO Z CHRISTMAS

Ok, here it is, the final installment of our A-Z of Christmas gift ideas.

By now I should think most of us are running out of time and inspiration.

It is good to know that a gift in silver is something long lasting and will be treasured for years, and indeed, centuries to come. As timeless as Christmas itself.

SHINY, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU, WEEK TWO

Ok, folks. It’s week two of our A to Z of Christmas which brings me to our next collection ideas for gifts in silver. We left off at the letter I, and so, here we go with:

Jam Pots… I think most of us probably will have more than a quick cup of tea and a bowl of cornflakes on Christmas morning. For some reason, it seems appropriate to have a full on breakfast (almost like a trial run for the big event). No reason the breakfast table shouldn’t look special too. A lovely jam jar to serve your favourite condiments in will certainly cheer things up.

CRACKING CHRISTMAS IDEAS

Here it is, December, and for those of us that haven't got everything wrapped up yet (you know, not one of those people who were,actually, nearly done in August) the hunt starts in earnest to seek out that perfect gift. It is to those people I will be presenting my A-Z of Christmas ideas, in silver, over the next couple of weeks.

In the Library With a Candlestick?

Choose your weapon.

With winter nearly here and Christmas around the corner one thing is certain…. The board games in cupboards and closets up and down the country will be coming out again.

I know they say it nearly every year, but apparently, this looks set to be one of the coldest winters since our last coldest winter.

Curiouser And Curiouser

In case you hadn’t noticed, there has been a lot of talk about Alice in Wonderland recently.

This is due to the fact that 2015 marks 150 years since Lewis Carroll’s book about a young girl’s surreal adventures in a magical wonderland were first published.

The book, published on 26 November 1865, was titled Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland but the original title was intended to be Alice's Adventures Underground.

Spy vs. Spy

This autumn we have seen the release of a new film in the James Bond franchise. Spectre is the 24th film to be released and the fourth time with Daniel Craig as The Man himself. The word on the street is that this will be Daniel Craig’s last time playing one of our most enduring  and invincible spies.

Hallo Again

Well, I suppose children up and down the country will be donning their outfits for Halloween once again. Along with the ghosts and ghouls and goblins I’ve a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of characters from Frozen this year too.